The Coimbatore district administration has swiftly moved to fortify its borders with Kerala following confirmed outbreaks of bird flu in the neighbouring state. In a decisive action to prevent the spread of the avian influenza, authorities have established special checkposts and significantly intensified the screening of vehicles crossing into Tamil Nadu.
Border Vigilance and Key Checkpoints
In response to the spread of bird flu in Kerala's Alappuzha and Kottayam districts, the Coimbatore administration has imposed restrictions on the inter-state transport of birds and related products. Special checkposts are now operational at strategic border locations including Walayar, Velanthavalam, Mulli, Solavampalayam, Anaikatti, and near Pollachi.
An official from the district animal husbandry department confirmed that every incoming vehicle is being thoroughly monitored and sterilised as a precautionary measure. The official stated that, fortunately, no symptoms of the avian disease have been detected within Coimbatore district so far. However, the surveillance network is on high alert.
Preventive Measures and Public Advisory
The local authorities are not taking any chances. Nearly 300 poultry farms in the Pollachi region and its surroundings are under continuous monitoring by animal health officials. The department has also issued a public advisory, urging citizens to report any suspected symptoms in birds immediately to the nearest veterinary hospital.
Officials have provided a rationale for cautious optimism regarding Coimbatore's risk profile. They indicated that the district's geography might offer some natural protection, as the absence of extensive backwaters means there are fewer habitats to attract migratory birds, which are often carriers of the virus. Despite this, the border enforcement remains strict, with vehicles found to be carrying birds being turned back without exception.
Current Status and Enforcement
The primary focus remains on containment at the border. The intensified vehicle checking is a core component of the strategy to ensure that infected poultry or products do not enter Tamil Nadu. While the direct risk to Coimbatore is currently assessed as low, the administration's proactive stance underscores its commitment to preventing any potential outbreak and safeguarding the local poultry industry and public health.
