Authorities in Tamil Nadu have heightened surveillance in border districts to prevent the spread of avian influenza, following reported cases in parts of Kerala like Alappuzha and Kottayam. The Nilgiris and Coimbatore districts, sharing borders with Kerala, are under increased monitoring to curb the disease’s entry. Check posts at Gudalur and Panthalur taluks in Nilgiris have been established to monitor poultry movement from Kerala closely.
Special preventive measures, directed by the Animal Husbandry Department and overseen by Joint Director Dr Balakrishnan, are being implemented. Transportation of live poultry, eggs, and related products from Kerala to Nilgiris has been temporarily halted as a precautionary step. The decision stems from the rising bird flu cases in Kerala and the potential threat of transmission to Tamil Nadu.
To enforce these measures, surveillance teams have been stationed at nine check posts along the Kerala and Karnataka borders. Each team, comprising veterinary and livestock assistants, collaborates with various departments to ensure strict vigilance. Avian influenza, transmissible through wild and migratory birds, poses risks to both poultry and humans, necessitating early detection and prevention efforts.
Poultry farmers are advised to strictly follow biosecurity protocols to prevent the disease’s spread. Measures include barring wild birds from farms, avoiding mixed bird species rearing, restricting farm access, and prompt reporting of any bird illnesses. Mandatory disinfection of farm tools bi-monthly and immediate reporting of unusual bird deaths are emphasized to contain avian influenza effectively.
