African swine fever found in Finland prompts strict movement restrictions

Finland’s first detected cases of African swine fever have led to strict restrictions in southeastern Finland, Yle reports. The Finnish Food Authority found the disease in wild boars in Virolahti, in the Kymenlaakso region, on July 30.

African swine fever is a fatal disease affecting pigs and wild boars. There is no vaccine or treatment, and infected animals die quickly. The disease does not infect humans.

1. Is shop-bought pork safe to eat?

Yes. Pig farms in the infection zone follow strict hygiene rules, including disinfection procedures. African swine fever cannot infect people, even if they eat meat from an infected pig.

2. Can people enter forests in the infection zone?

Yes, but motor vehicles are prohibited. In the core zone, people may travel only on roads and may not enter the forest.

Essential repair work, such as repairs to electricity and water services, is permitted throughout the area. Authorities may also move around the zone as part of their duties.

3. What activities are allowed in the forest?

People may pick berries and mushrooms in the infection zone. Orienteering, walking in the forest and other activities covered by everyman’s rights are also allowed.

Dogs may be taken outside, but they must be kept on a lead and walked on roads. Barking can startle wild boars and cause them to move, so other loud noises should also be avoided.

Pets may move around normally in private yards. In the core zone, people may travel only on roads and entering the forest is prohibited.

4. Can people gather to watch the autumn bird migration?

Not in the core zone. Elsewhere in the infection zone, groups of a few people may gather as long as they do not make noise.

5. What counts as forestry work?

The Finnish Food Authority has received many questions about forestry work and is clarifying its guidance. For now, people may not collect felled wood from the forest without an exemption permit, unless the wood has been stacked beside a road.

6. Can berries and mushrooms picked in the core zone before the restrictions be eaten?

Yes. Berry and mushroom picking was restricted to prevent people from moving around and driving wild boars outside the infection zone. People cannot become ill from berries or mushrooms, but they must not be fed to pigs.

7. How long will the restrictions last?

It is difficult to estimate how long the restrictions will remain in place. In other countries, restrictions have lasted at least a year after the most recent confirmed case.

The size of the zone and the restrictions may be revised once the spread of the disease among wild boars becomes clearer. The Finnish Food Authority is surveying dead wild boars in the infection zone this week.

8. Who monitors compliance?

Animal health authorities are responsible for monitoring compliance. If necessary, they can ask the police for assistance.

9. Can people be punished for breaking the restrictions?

The consequences depend on the seriousness of the violation and whether it was intentional. Minor cases will generally result in guidance, while serious cases may be reported to the police as suspected offences.