Finland is expanding the restricted zone due to African swine fever
Finland has decided to expand the area where restrictions on hunting and forestry operations are in effect, following the detection of new cases of African swine fever among wild boars.
Eleven more infected animals were found in the Virolahhti area in the southeastern part of the country. The total number of confirmed cases since July 30 has risen to 14.
The new cases were recorded outside the initial infection zone, so authorities have urged people—particularly mushroom and berry pickers—to avoid the affected area.
The Finnish agency reported 11 new deaths of infected wild boars, bringing the total number of such cases since July 30 to 14.
The wild boars were found in Virolahhti in southeastern Finland, near the country’s border with Russia.
The agency emphasized that, due to the detection of new cases, the restricted area within the infection zone will be expanded.
It noted that some of the new cases were detected outside the initial core zone and urged “berry pickers, mushroom hunters, and others… to avoid this area.”
According to Sirpa Kiviruu, head of the Animal Health and Veterinary Medicines Department at the Food Agency, it is “very likely” that the wild boars came from Russia, but this has not been confirmed.
African swine fever has spread from Africa to Europe and Asia, causing significant losses in pig populations, which has led to the imposition of trade restrictions and affected global meat markets.
Euractiv reports on this.
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