The exact virus type is still being determined, but measures are being taken to protect workers and prevent transmission to humans.

Firefighters dealt with about 20 blazes on Sunday alone, as dry conditions and strong winds heighten risks of forest and brush fires getting out of control.

The blaze destroyed large swathes of forest this week.

Flocks of whooper swans have been grazing in a field in southwestern Finland, although these swans don't typically return to Finland until March or April, according to Finland’s environment administration.

Hundreds of ice balls could be seen floating on the beach at Ohtakari island in Finland’s Bay of Bothnia.

The oval ice formations created by wave action were piled up on a Hailuoto beach.

Despite recent rain, groundwater levels remain at near-record lows. Markku Rantti, head of the local village association, says some wells in the area only have about 20 cm of water at the bottom.

October temperature records were broken on Sunday afternoon, with the mercury surpassing 20°C in many places, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Unusually mild weather and foggy mornings have caused many migratory birds to delay their departure south, according to Birdlife Finland.

Northern Finland was illuminated by a blazing fireball on Thursday night, which experts said was either a meteor or space trash.

Meteorologist Niko Tollman of the Finnish Meteorology Institute confirms that counting up the number of stormy days this past month made January one of the windiest first months of the year over sea areas since 1994.

The first ticks have been observed in the northwest region of Oulu, meaning they are assuredly on the loose already further south. Entomologist Reima Leinonen recommends that people who have been enjoying the outdoors take a shower at the end of the day to help check for ticks.