[REVISION HISTORY]

Finland ASF outbreak expands and impacts pork exports

Updated 18 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-09-24 17:13 UTC → 2026-09-28 06:41 UTC · added ~~removed~~

As of late September 2026, the African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in southeastern Finland has expanded, following the detection of the virus in wild boar near Lappeenranta. The core infection zone has moved northeast to include parts of Virolahti, Miehikkälä, and southeastern Lappeenranta. To manage the spread, the Finnish Food Authority has implemented a 10-kilometer wide buffer zone around the infection area, covering Lappeenranta, Luumäki, Kouvola, Lapinjärvi, and Loviisa. Within this buffer, pigs cannot be moved abroad, though internal transfers within Finland remain unrestricted. While no new cases were detected for a period in mid-September, the expansion of the zone indicates the virus remains active. Biosecurity measures have been intensified. While forestry work and land clearing are permitted, all machinery must be washed and disinfected before leaving the zone. Pedestrians, such as berry and mushroom pickers, and vehicle users are required to clean or disinfect footwear and equipment upon exiting. Additionally, dogs must remain on leashes and be cleaned if they have been in the terrain. Efforts to reduce wild boar populations continue. In Someron, local game management associations are conducting educational sessions to instruct hunters on mandatory sampling requirements and strict hygiene protocols for slaughter facilities. Authorities recommend trichinella testing for all wild boar meat intended for human consumption. The outbreak continues to impact international trade, specifically halting pork exports to non-EU markets like China and Japan. On September 28, the Finnish Food Authority expanded the core infection zone further northeast following the detection of the virus in dead wild boar in Villmanstrand. While restrictions remain, authorities have introduced certain eased measures to facilitate normal life, maintaining that activities like forestry, walking, and berry picking are permitted provided that machinery, footwear, and vehicles are thoroughly washed and disinfected before leaving the area.

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