TN’s Nilgiris intensifies border vigil as Nipah concerns emerge in Kerala

Coimbatore, June 13 (IANS) The Nilgiris district administration has intensified surveillance at key border checkpoints along the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border following reports of a suspected Nipah virus case in neighbouring Kozhikode district, officials said on Saturday.

Authorities said a series of precautionary measures have been put in place to prevent any possible spread of the infection into Tamil Nadu.

District Collector Lakshmi Bhavya Tanneeru said Health Department personnel have been deployed at all major border checkposts, including Thaloor, Nadugani, Nambiarkunnu, Soladi and Pattavayal.

Travellers and tourists arriving from Kerala are being screened for symptoms associated with Nipah virus infection, while officials continue to closely monitor the situation.

The heightened alert follows preliminary reports from Kerala indicating that a patient in Kozhikode had tested positive for the virus.

Although, there has been no confirmed threat to Tamil Nadu, the district administration has adopted a preventive approach due to the significant movement of people across the interstate border.

Officials added that residents of several border villages frequently travel to Kerala for work and business, resulting in regular cross-border movement.

Given these factors, health authorities have expanded monitoring efforts beyond checkposts and are focusing on areas with sizeable migrant worker populations.

Necessary health checks are being conducted and surveillance has been strengthened in such locations.

As part of the preparedness measures, government hospitals, primary health centres, community health facilities and private hospitals across the district have been directed to remain vigilant.

Medical institutions have been instructed to immediately report any suspected Nipah-related symptoms to the Health Department to facilitate prompt intervention.

The administration has also appealed to visitors arriving from Kerala to voluntarily seek medical attention if they develop symptoms such as fever, respiratory illness or other health complaints associated with the virus.

Officials said early reporting and treatment would be crucial in preventing any potential transmission.

The District Collector Tanneeru stressed that the measures were purely precautionary and urged the public not to panic.

She said the district administration was closely coordinating with health authorities and continuously reviewing developments in Kerala.

With enhanced screening, hospital preparedness and field-level monitoring now in place, officials expressed confidence that the district was well-equipped to respond to any eventuality.

They reiterated that there was currently no cause for concern among residents and that surveillance would continue as a precautionary measure.

–IANS

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