Chennai, 25 December (H.S.) : The Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare department has issued a high alert following reports of an avian influenza outbreak in Kerala’s Alappuzha and Kottayam districts.

Authorities have intensified surveillance across all districts bordering the neighboring state to prevent the virus from spreading. Special instructions have been issued to reinforce screening at inter-State check posts, where vehicles arriving from Kerala are being thoroughly inspected and disinfected.

Districts such as Coimbatore, The Nilgiris, Theni, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari, which see high volumes of inter-state movement, have been placed under strict observation.

Given the ongoing Sabarimala pilgrimage season, the health department has also released an advisory for devotees returning from Kerala. Pilgrims who experience symptoms like fever, respiratory distress, or unusual fatigue are urged to seek immediate medical attention at government health facilities.

Furthermore, in poultry-rich regions like Namakkal, the Health and Animal Husbandry departments are working together to conduct regular inspections of poultry units. Veterinary officers have been tasked with ensuring that all biosecurity protocols are followed and that meat shops do not sell sick or dead poultry to the public.

A senior official from the Health department clarified that these measures are purely precautionary to safeguard public health. They assured the citizens that there is currently no cause for panic within the state. However, the department has warned that strict action will be taken against anyone violating the prescribed hygiene standards or safety protocols.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the need for poultry farm owners to maintain high standards of cleanliness and report any unusual bird deaths immediately to the concerned departments for swift action.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary