On 25 June, three wild boars were found dead close to Belarus border in Kepovas parish, Dagdas county.

Samples were taken and sent to investigation.

On 26 June, the National Reference Laboratory confirmed positive results for African swine fever virus for all three wild boars.

All measures according to the Directive 2002/60/EC have been put in place.

Also, on 25 June, three domestic pigs in one backyard holding in Robeznieku parish, Kraslavas county, were examined and sampled because of a suspicion of African swine fever or classical swine fever.

Samples were taken and sent for investigation.

On 26 June, the National Reference Laboratory also confirmed African swine fever virus for all three domestic pigs.

Protection and surveillance zones have been established for African swine fever and all measures according the Directive 2002/60/EC and are in place.

The OIE Animal Health Information Department said: “Since this is the first time that African swine fever is identified in the history of the country, the reason for notification as first occurrence applies to the country but the event is in fact circumscribed to a zone.”

The Latvian veterinary authority sent Follow Up Report No.1 dated 27 June to OIE, recording the death of two more wild boar in Kraslavas country - in Kepovas parish - which have tested positive for the African swine fever virus.

According to that report, on 26 June 2014, border guards informed the local competent authority that they had found two wild boars dead close to the Belarus border. Samples were taken and sent to National Reference laboratory. On 27 June, the National Reference Laboratory confirmed African swine fever virus in both animals.