HELSINKI, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Finland imposed restrictions in parts of its southeastern region on Friday after preliminary tests proved the presence of African swine fever (ASF) in three wild boar piglets, marking the country's first recorded outbreak of the disease.
The Finnish Food Authority said on Friday that the dead piglets were found in the village of Vaalimaa, in the southeastern municipality of Virolahti, and submitted for examination by a local resident.
Tests conducted by the authority on Thursday produced a preliminary positive result for the ASF virus.
The authority said measures to prevent the possible spread of the disease had been introduced immediately, with an infection zone established around the site where the carcasses were found.
The movement of pigs within the zone has been restricted, while hunting has been prohibited. Additional restrictions have been imposed in the area closest to the site, including limits on movement in forests and forestry activities. The authority urged the public to report any dead or sick wild boars immediately.
Seven small pig farms are located within the restriction zone, according to Finnish public broadcaster Yle.
Sirpa Kiviruusu, head of the Animal Health and Medication Unit at the Finnish Food Authority, told Yle that the risk of the disease spreading remained relatively low if the restrictions were observed.
ASF is a highly contagious viral disease affecting domestic pigs and wild boars. It is often fatal to infected animals but does not infect humans.
The preliminary finding has nevertheless raised concerns over Finland's pork exports, particularly to markets outside the EU.
Riitta Rahkila, an expert at the Finnish Food and Drink Industries' Federation (ETL), said some non-EU trading partners could suspend pork imports from the whole of Finland, rather than only from the affected region.
Finland's ASF-free status has been an important advantage in marketing its pork abroad, she said.
The country exported pork worth about 74 million euros (85 million U.S. dollars) last year, according to ETL. ■