Bird flu alert: Kovai, Nilgiris ban poultry products from Kerala

 As a precautionary measure, The Nilgiris district administration has banned bringing poultry products, birds and ducks into the hills region from both Kerala and Karnataka states.

Bird flu outbreak has been reported from two poultry farms in Kozhikode district in Kerala prompting authorities to order culling of ducks and hens within one kilometre radius of the affected areas. Culling of birds is to be taken up to prevent the spread of virus to the nearby area.

“Due to an outbreak of bird flu in Kozhikode in Kerala, poultry chicken, birds, eggs, fodder and related products were prohibited from being brought into The Nilgiris to prevent spread of the influenza,” said The Nilgiris District Collector Innocent Divya.  

A medical team, led by an assistant veterinary doctor, one veterinary inspector and two assistants, jointly with the Forest Department, police and the Revenue Department have been deployed in each of the eight inter-state check posts, including Kakkanalla, Nadukani, Pattavayal, Serambadi, Thalur and Ambalamoola. Similar checks were also carried out in the 12 interstate check posts in Coimbatore district.

Also the Animal Husbandry Department has begun spraying disinfectants on Kerala-Tamil Nadu border routes to contain the spread of bird flu into the State. It was sprayed on all vehicles entering Tamil Nadu. Also lime powder has been put on the road so that the tyres of a vehicle which run over them get disinfected.

“Restrictions were imposed against bringing poultry chicken and birds into Tamil Nadu from Kerala. A few vehicles which came loaded with birds were disallowed from entering the state on Sunday night and sent back to Kerala,” said a senior official of the Animal Husbandry Department. Surveillance is to be increased in poultry farms in Namakkal, the hub for poultry sector in Tamil Nadu.

The Health Department is also on high alert as the virus can spread to humans and may cause complications, including pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ failure. Prompt antiviral medication may help prevent complications and reduce the risk of mortality.