The TN government has increased vigilance in the border areas

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government has stepped up vigil in the border areas after bird flu was reported in Kerala.

An official said vigil has been increased in Anaikatti, Gopalapuram and Walayar areas.

“Each checkpoint in these areas is manned by twelve police officers. Every vehicle reaching Tamil Nadu will be thoroughly searched,” the official said.

Officials of the Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry told IANS that whenever cases of bird flu are reported from neighboring states, the department steps up vigil.

The officials said veterinarians and paramedic team members are also part of search teams at state borders.

Vehicles carrying poultry and animals are not allowed to pass through the checkpoints.

An official said the state government is not taking any chances and is sanitizing all vehicles entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala.

He also said that there are 1,252 poultry farms in Coimbatore district, which borders Kerala. The official said that with such a large number of poultry farms in the district, the department is being extra cautious to prevent an outbreak in the state.

The Kerala Health Department has culled 21,000 ducks in the two panchayats (Edathua and Cheruthuna) in Alappuzha district and has also culled domestic birds within one kilometer radius of these two panchayats.