Chennai

Following the outbreak of bird flu in Kerala, border districts in Tamil Nadu were strictly cordoned off. Transports carrying birds and eggs were not allowed to ply into the state, even the bird droppings were sent back. Every vehicle entering from Kerala into the state was ordered to be disinfected.

One among such measures, Puliyarai check post in Tenkasi district is closely monitored as it is a significant trading point between TN and Kerala. Three teams of five members and a veterinary doctor apiece were deputed to assess the situation round-the-clock.

In addition to this, the Tenkasi district authority has arranged a 90-day medical camp dedicated to addressing bird flu.

Named H5N8, the flu has no palpable bearing on birds-to-human transmission in the studies as yet. But, fear of mutation in humans while clearing corpses of birds or handling infected birds cannot be neglected.

One reassuring fact about this virus is that, it dies in cooking temperature. So the general advice to the people from the health department officials is to consume well cooked meat and egg and avoid raw eggs and half-boiled omelette.