African swine fever outbreak triggers hunting and forestry bans in Finland

The discovery of African swine fever (ASF) in southeastern Finland has led to strict restrictions on hunting and forestry activities. The Finnish Food Authority has implemented a total ban on hunting in the municipalities of Virolahti and Miehikkälä, as well as south of the railway leading to the Lappeenranta Vainikkala station.

In addition to hunting bans, the infection zone imposes several restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus by limiting animal movement. These include prohibitions on feeding wild animals (except for official government-led programs), a ban on walking dogs off-leash, and restrictions on foraging for berries and mushrooms. All forestry work has also been halted within the designated infection zone.

While the general hunting season for species like collared doves and geese is underway, the ASF outbreak has created significant disruptions for local hunters and forest industry workers. Authorities are relying on the assistance of local hunters to help locate and dispose of dead wild boar carcasses under controlled conditions to mitigate the spread of the disease.