Episode #85: ASF in Spain: Real-World Impact, Real-Time Lessons

In this episode of the SwineTime podcast, staff veterinarian Dr. Spencer Wayne is joined by fellow veterinarian and former partner, Dr. Jean Paul Cano, for a discussion on African Swine Fever (ASF).

Dr. Cano is a swine veterinarian originally from Venezuela who completed his PhD in Minnesota and spent years working in U.S. production systems before relocating to Spain with his family. Now practicing near Barcelona, Dr. Cano offers a firsthand perspective on Spain’s recent detection of ASF in wild boar populations—and the ripple effects it has had across the pork industry.

ASF is a highly complex, resilient virus that affects only pigs, with a very high fatality rate and no commercially viable vaccine. Unlike more fragile viruses, ASF can survive for weeks in fresh pork, months in cured meats, and even years in frozen products, making biosecurity and containment especially challenging. In late November 2025, Spain confirmed ASF in two wild boars found dead in a state park near Barcelona—the country’s first detection since eradicating the disease in 1994.

Dr. Cano explains how geography played a critical role in the response. The affected area is surrounded by urban development and multiple fenced highways, creating a natural containment zone. Authorities quickly established control and surveillance rings, intensified carcass searches and testing, restricted animal movement, and implemented targeted depopulation strategies for wild boars.

Beyond animal health, the episode dives deep into economic consequences. Spain exports a significant share of its pork production, so ASF immediately disrupted global trade. While some countries halted imports entirely, others accepted pork from unaffected regions under strict regionalization rules. This approach helped Spain avoid a complete export shutdown, though prices still dropped roughly 30–35% in the weeks following detection.

The conversation also draws clear parallels to the United States. Drs. Wayne and Cano discuss how programs like the U.S. Swine Health Improvement Program (U.S. SHIP) are designed to provide the same kind of credibility and structure that allowed Spain to maintain market access. Regionalization, transparent communication, early detection, and pre-established biosecurity and traceability systems all proved critical in limiting damage.

The conversation leaves listeners with a practical reminder: ASF isn’t a hypothetical risk or a problem confined to other parts of the world. It’s already moving through major pork-producing regions, and the work done before an outbreak— biosecurity, traceability, and planning—is what determines whether an industry can keep moving forward or comes to a standstill.