Dead wild boar continue to emerge in Finland’s African swine fever zone
Thursday 20th August 2026 on 12:30 in
Finland
Yle reports that 18 dead wild boar were found on Wednesday in the core area of an African swine fever outbreak in south-eastern Finland. One additional dead animal was reported by a member of the public.
All the discoveries were made in the outbreak’s core area in the Kymenlaakso region. Samples will be sent to the Finnish Food Authority’s laboratory on Thursday to be tested for the disease.
About 170 people have taken part in the searches. Around 70 searchers are working in the area on Thursday.
19 cases confirmed
Finland’s first case of African swine fever in wild boar was confirmed at the end of July. A total of 19 cases have now been confirmed, all in the core area in Virolahti, Kymenlaakso.
African swine fever is a fatal haemorrhagic fever in wild boar. It does not infect humans.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah said on Wednesday that the ministry plans to begin fencing off the outbreak area in south-eastern Finland in the coming months.