Even though Health Inspectors have been directed to be deployed at the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border round-the-clock as a preventive measure against the spread of monkeypox, the Walayar check post wears a deserted look devoid of any officials.
Coimbatore: In spite of the Health department ordering testing of people entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala due to the monkeypox outbreak, the Walayar check post was deserted without officials.
The monkeypox virus has been detected in various countries across the world and has been spreading rapidly. India's first case of monkeypox has been detected in Kerala.
Hence, the Health Department has ordered intensified surveillance in the districts bordering Tamil Nadu after two people tested positive for monkeypox in Kerala.
Though two Health Inspectors were reportedly stationed at all checkpoints including Walayar on the Coimbatore-Kerala border to screen those entering Tamil Nadu from Kerala, the lack of officials at the Walayar border as well as vehicles not being stopped for checking is a cause for concern.
Vehicles from Kerala proceed into Tamil Nadu uninterrupted on the highway without taking the service road. Hence, the public has demanded that district authorities should immediately beef up officials at the Kerala borders in compliance with the order of the Health Department to screen for monkeypox and prevent its spread into Tamil Nadu.