Animal Diseases in Finland 2020

Abstract

This publication contains information on the incidence of animal diseases to be combated and the prevalence of certain other infections in various animal species in Finland in 2020. The publication also describes the measures taken to prevent and combat animal diseases. Animal disease situation in Finland remained good in 2020. No easily spreading animal diseases were detected. The first case of myxomatosis in Finland was found in wild rabbits. Myxomatosis is a viral disease of rabbits, that occurs around the world.

In many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic affected sector activity, and as SARS-COV-2 transmits also to several animal species, it was necessary to prepare for possible infections in animals. However, no coronavirus infections in animals were detected in Finland.

Finland remained free of strategically important animal diseases such as enzootic bovine leucosis, brucellosis, and bovine tuberculosis, IBR and BVD infections, PRRS infections in swine and Echinococcus multilocularis infection. Preparedness was especially targeted at combating SARS-CoV-2, African swine fever and rabies.