African swine fever (ASF) is spreading at an alarming rate in areas near Finland, particularly in Estonia, where, in addition to wild boar populations, the disease has now also been detected in domestic pigs, following a couple of years without any reported cases.
ASF is a highly contagious and serious disease in pigs, causing significant suffering and potentially leading to death. However, the disease is not transmissible to . ASF has not yet been detected in Finland, but an outbreak would have severe economic consequences for domestic pig farming and food exports.
ASF has been present in Estonia and other Baltic countries among both domestic pigs and wild boars since 2014. During the summer of 2025, numerous cases have been reported in areas near Finland, including Estonia, Lithuania, and Poland. In Estonia, the disease has been confirmed on five different pig farms, four of which are very large. To prevent further spread, over 17,000 pigs have been culled in Estonia.
Important to report suspected cases
The Finnish Food Authority reminds everyone that alertness and preventive measures are key to controlling the disease. It is also crucial to report symptoms that may indicate ASF, so that potential cases can be identified early, and the spread can be quickly contained. If a veterinarian, pig owner, or anyone working with or in contact with pigs suspects ASF on a farm, they must immediately report it to an official veterinarian. More information about reporting animal diseases (in Finnish) can be found on our website.
It is also important to report any dead wild boars found to the municipal veterinarian or the Regional State Administrative Agency. Dead wild boars are examined by the Finnish Food Authority for ASF.
Preventive measures: Travelers and imported products – remember these! (Youtube)
ASF does not infect humans, but the virus can be spread unintentionally:
- Do not bring meat, sausages, or other animal products from abroad – these may carry the ASF virus. Dispose of leftover snacks.
- Avoid contact with wild animals abroad, especially wild boars.
- Wash and disinfect shoes and outerwear after hunting trips.
Preventive measures: Biosecurity on pig farms (Youtube, in Finnish)
- Access to farms is restricted to individuals who absolutely need to be there, and their biosecurity must be ensured.
- Foreign vehicles must not enter production areas or must be thoroughly disinfected.
- Feeding equipment, care tools, and work clothes must be farm-specific – do not lend them to neighbors!
- Wild boars must be prevented from entering farm areas, for example with fences and electric barriers.
More Information:
Awareness video of African swine fever
Current updates on African swine fever
Sources:
European Commission: African swine fever
Estonian ASF-site