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In the two pig farms in the Viljandimaa county, which both belong to the same owner, one in the Leie village in Kolga-Jaani parish and the other in Ridaküla, Viljandi parish, the first pigs fell ill on July 18 and a day later the first animals died. The farm in the Kolga-Jaani parish has a total of 355 and Ridaküla farm 191 pigs.

In a farm in Koikküla, Taheva parish, Valgamaa country, there was just one domestic pig that fell ill on July 16 and two days later the animal died.

In the morning of July 21, the VFB ascertained officially the diagnosis of African swine fever in the three pig farms.

"In all points of the disease, quarantine will be enforced, all pigs will be killed and disposed of in accordance with the code of conduct for fighting African swine fever virus. After the farm is emptied of animals, the building's cleaning and disinfection takes place. Only persons authorised by the Veterinary and Food Board can enter the site of disease," said the VFB animal health, animal welfare and animal feeding department head Maarja Kristian.

If the animal keeper has implemented all the requirements established by law, the value of the animals that died or were killed as the result of the outbreak will be compensated to the farmer.

The VFB office will inspect all pig farms in 10 km radius of the infected farms to test the animals.

African swine fever has spread to several neighbouring countries of Estonia (such as Latvia, Lithuania, Poland), among both wild and domestic pigs. African swine fever was diagnosed first in Estonia on 8 September 2014 in a wild boar in Valgamaa county. The disease does not pose a risk to humans but, but can cause extensive economic damage in the pig farming sector.