TN's egg hub Namakkal tightens biosecurity amid Kerala bird flu scare
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Chennai: As reports of avian influenza outbreaks surface in neighbouring Kerala, poultry farms in Tamil Nadu’s Namakkal district, a major national egg production hub, have escalated biosecurity and surveillance measures to prevent the potential spread of the disease.
Despite lacking a direct border with Kerala, Namakkal’s status as a critical node in India’s poultry industry has prompted strict precautionary steps. The district houses nearly 1,500 farms and supplies millions of eggs to markets across India and overseas. Consequently, the Tamil Nadu government has intensified monitoring at inter-state borders, increased inspections of poultry transport vehicles, and tightened health surveillance across the region.
Pathasarathy K, a local poultry farm owner, highlighted the implementation of rigorous safety protocols. "After the avian flu outbreak in Kerala, we have strengthened biosecurity norms. Poultry here is raised in a controlled environment, and regular cleaning and disinfection are strictly followed. Formalin is used frequently to eliminate disease-causing organisms," he explained.
He further noted that logistics are being handled with extreme caution. Vehicles transporting feed and eggs, particularly those arriving from Kerala, are undergoing thorough disinfection before being permitted to enter farm premises.
Other farmers emphasised the role of preventive vaccination and hygiene. Key measures include timely vaccination of birds and the elimination of risk factors such as damp litter, waste accumulation, and contaminated feed, which can trigger infections.
The economic stakes for the district are high. Valsan Parameswaran, Secretary of the All India Poultry Product Exporters Association, stated that the industry remains fully alert. "More than 50 lakh eggs are exported daily from Namakkal. Export-oriented farms follow stringent biosecurity norms throughout the year. Birds are tested every 21 days, and even water used in farms is treated to eliminate pathogens," he said.
A senior official from the Animal Husbandry Department confirmed that surveillance at inter-state check posts has been ramped up. The department has increased vehicle checks and initiated awareness programmes for farmers and workers to ensure early detection and prevention of any outbreak in the vulnerable poultry hub.
(Inputs from IANS)