Tamil Nadu has intensified monitoring efforts along its border with Kerala following confirmed cases of avian influenza (bird flu) in neighbouring districts, officials said on Thursday. The move aims to prevent any possible spread of the virus into the State’s poultry and human populations.

Kerala has reported bird flu infections in several wards of Alappuzha and Kottayam, where a large number of poultry and ducks have died suddenly. Samples from affected birds tested positive for avian influenza at a high-security laboratory, prompting stringent containment actions by the Kerala government.

Reacting to the outbreak, the Tamil Nadu Public Health Department has issued directions for heightened surveillance in districts bordering Kerala, including Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Theni, Tenkasi and Kanniyakumari. Check-posts at key entry points are being strengthened to inspect and disinfect vehicles, especially those transporting poultry, livestock and agricultural produce entering the State from Kerala.

Health authorities have urged district administrations to work closely with veterinary teams to monitor poultry health and report unusual bird deaths promptly. In areas with high poultry activity such as Namakkal, farm-level biosecurity and observation protocols are being reinforced.

Officials have also advised the public, including pilgrims returning from Kerala, to be alert for flu-like symptoms such as fever and respiratory distress and to seek immediate medical attention if they occur.

While there is currently no cause for panic, authorities stressed the importance of early detection and strict preventive measures to safeguard both public health and the poultry sector.