Finland has recorded its first-ever case of African swine fever, detecting the virus in dead wild boar piglets found in Virolahti, near the Russian border in the southeastern Kymenlaakso region. A local resident discovered the remains of three piglets in the Vaalimaa area and submitted them to the Finnish Food Authority, which confirmed the infection on 30 July.
The highly contagious and lethal disease, which poses no risk to humans, has prompted authorities to designate Virolahti, Miehikkälä, and parts of southern Lappeenranta as an infection zone where all hunting is banned. The Finnish Food Authority is sending samples to the EU reference laboratory in Spain for confirmation.
The outbreak threatens Finland's pork exports, valued at €74 million annually to non-EU markets. Shipments to third countries will be suspended until new trade terms are negotiated. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for the disease.