African swine fever detected in wild boar in Virolahti

Finnish authorities have confirmed the first case of African swine fever in the country after preliminary tests detected the virus in wild boar in Virolahti, Kymenlaakso, state news agency Yle reports.

The Finnish Food Authority (Ruokavirasto) will verify the results with the EU reference laboratory for African swine fever in Spain, but immediate measures to contain the spread have already begun. The disease does not transmit to humans.

The virus was found in the carcasses of three wild boar piglets discovered by a local resident near Vaalimaa in Virolahti. The preliminary findings were confirmed in Food Authority tests on Thursday.