Finnish authorities face ongoing wild boar deaths as African swine fever containment efforts intensify

Despite ongoing search efforts and potential fencing plans, Finland continues to find dead wild boar in the African swine fever containment zone, highlighting the challenges of controlling the outbreak since July.

The Finnish Food Authority says dead wild boar continue to be found in south-eastern Finland’s African swine fever containment zone, underlining the challenge of stamping out the disease after its first appearance in the country at the end of July.

On Wednesday, search teams found 18 carcasses, while a member of the public reported another. Ruokavirasto says 170 searchers are available, and not every dead animal tested has proved positive; some results have been negative.

Sirpa Kiviruusu, head of the authority’s animal health and medicines unit, said at a briefing on Thursday that she remained hopeful the outbreak could still be contained.

Agriculture and Forestry Minister Sari Essayah told Yle that the ministry is preparing for the possibility of fencing off the affected area, with the state ready to fund the barrier if a decision is taken. The exact size of the zone has yet to be decided, and the cost is still unclear. Kiviruusu said game fencing can cost at least several tens of thousands of euros per kilometre, depending on terrain.

Ruokavirasto says compensation for losses in livestock production may be available under animal disease law, but other claims, including for forestry businesses, remain a matter for political consideration. African swine fever is fatal to pigs and wild boar, but does not infect humans.