Seven wild boars have been found dead in a restricted area around the town of Fagersta, Sweden, 145 km northwest of Stockholm, reports Meat&Poultry Magazine.

Samples from another wild boar are currently being sent to the National Veterinary Institute (SVA) in Sweden to test for African swine fever (ASF). Relevant authorities continue to work on locating, limiting, and controlling the infection and will provide further information regularly.

"The emergency plan we have had for a long time is now being implemented," said Lena Hellqvist Björnerot from the Swedish Board of Agriculture. "We are also taking note of experiences from other countries that have been in a similar situation."

Authorities will collaborate with hunting organizations to determine the extent of an area's infection by searching for dead wild boars, combined with knowledge of the wild boars' home range. Access to the affected area will be prohibited.

For instance, no one will be allowed in the area to pick berries and mushrooms, hunt, engage in forestry work, or partake in other outdoor activities. The infection does not affect humans or other animal species but can spread through pork meat or by carrying the virus on shoes, tools, and vehicles.

"At present, we do not know how the infection was introduced, but it is a long-distance jump from the nearest infected area in Europe, and therefore, we assume that it was introduced through human activity and not by wild boar," said Karl Ståhl, a professor at SVA.

"There is currently widespread infection in Europe. There are countries that have succeeded in eradicating the disease, and that is our national goal."

SVA encourages the public and hunters to report findings of dead wild boars throughout Sweden, especially in the affected area and in the Västmanland county, through www.rapporteravilt.sva.se. Pig owners are encouraged to review their biosecurity and contact a veterinarian if there are signs of illness or increased mortality.

The disease has been present in Europe since 2007 and in the European Union since 2014. It presents as fever, bleeding, loss of coordination (ataxia), decreased appetite, and death typically occurs within a week.