Restricted area likely to expand as swine flu spreads in Virolahti

The Finnish Food Authority will review about expansion of the restricted zone for African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country after the disease was detected in wild boar outside of the core area, said an official press release on Wednesday.

According to the latest finding, African swine fever (ASF) has been detected in Virolahti, a municipality under Kymenlaakso region near Russian border.

The carcasses of a wild boar infected with African swine fever were found about 15 kilometres west of the core area in the direction of Hamina.

The remains were estimated to be several months old, and it does not indicate a recent spread of the disease.

It is predicted that isolated remains of wild boars that died of African swine fever might have been found in the area between Pyhtää and Vaalimaa.

This week, another 1–2 weeks old wild boar carcass was also found in the Miehikkälä, which is already earmarked as infected zone.

The authority will reassess the expansion of the African swine fever infection zone, if more recent wild boars infected with the disease are found outside of the core area.

Earlier in late September, the authority expanded the restricted zone for African Swine Fever (ASF) in the country after the disease was detected in wild boars outside of the core area.

The authority on September 10 expanded the restricted zone for African swine fever in the country.

On August 28, Finland expanded a restricted zone for African swine fever (ASF).

Earlier on August 25, the Finnish Food Authority found six new cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wild pigs in the infected area in Southeastern Finland.

On August 12, the found 11 new cases of African swine fever (ASF) in wild pigs in the infected zone area in Southeastern Finland.

In late July 2026, the first cases of African Swine Fever (ASF) has been detected in wild pigs at Vaalimaa in Virolahti, a municipality in Eastern Finland near Russian border.