Health officials fail to conduct Nipah virus screening at Onbathaaru checkpost near Udumalaipettai, raising concerns about potential spread into Tamil Nadu from Kerala.
Coimbatore: Following the death of a youth due to Nipah virus in Malappuram, Kerala, health officials have been screening vehicle occupants at the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border. However, it has come to light that health department officials are not conducting Nipah virus screening at the Onbathaaru checkpost near Udumalaipettai, which serves as a border between Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Social activists have raised concerns about the potential risk of the virus spreading into Tamil Nadu due to this negligence. They point out that the Udumalaipettai-Munnar road witnesses daily bus and goods vehicle traffic between the two states, with numerous people traveling to Tamil Nadu for various purposes.
While Kerala has intensified health measures following the Nipah virus death, no action has been taken on the busy Udumalaipettai-Munnar road. This inaction could potentially allow infected individuals to enter Tamil Nadu, increasing the risk of a Nipah virus outbreak in the state.
Activists emphasize that prevention is better than cure, and even a small oversight in safety measures could lead to significant consequences. They urge the district administration to take immediate action and order health department officials to conduct Nipah virus screening at the Onbathaaru checkpost.
When contacted about this issue, relevant medical department officials stated that they have not received any formal notification regarding the implementation of screening measures.