ASF Finland: Core area expands following new cases in wild boar

The Finnish Food Authority has amended the decision on the African swine fever (ASF) infection zone on September 24, 2026, following the detection of ASF in dead wild boars found in Hujakkala, Lappeenranta, on September 21, 2026.

The core area has been expanded to the northeast. Now, in addition to parts of Virolahti and Miehikkälä, the core area also includes the southeastern part of Lappeenranta east of Vaalimantie up to the Vilajoki watershed.

In connection with the decision, relaxations were made to the restrictions in the core area. The following is now allowed:

• All forestry work and land clearing. However, the machinery used in the work must be washed and disinfected before leaving the core area.
• Moving around the terrain on foot and, for example, mushroom and berry picking. However, those moving around the terrain in the core area must change their footwear or wash and disinfect them before leaving the core area.
• Driving vehicles off-road. However, all vehicles (e.g. bicycles, mopeds, ATVs, motorcycles) must be washed before leaving the core area.
• Walking dogs on roads as well as in the countryside. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. If dogs are walked in the countryside of the core area, they must be washed before leaving the core area.

Mitigation measures were made because the searches in the core area have progressed well, and a large part of the wild boars that died of the virus have been removed from the terrain. Wild boars are mainly moving northeast along the border, and control measures are now moving to a phase where the goal is to reduce wild boars both in the core area and in the direction of wild boar movement from Lappeenranta.

All hunting is still prohibited in the core area. Organizing public, sporting, and dog events in the core area terrain is also still prohibited.