Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian. File | Photo Credit: M. Vedhan
Tamil Nadu Health Minister Ma. Subramanian, on Tuesday (February 10, 2026), urged the public to remain cautious and warned against consumption of undercooked poultry following detection of H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) virus in samples collected from dead crow in Chennai recently. The Public Health Department is on high alert after advisories issued by the Union government on avian influenza.
Addressing the media at the Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital in Chennai, Mr. Subramanian advised people to avoid consuming half-boiled eggs or undercooked chicken and to ensure poultry products are cooked thoroughly at high temperatures. Poultry found dead due to illness should not be consumed and must be buried deep underground immediately to prevent the spread of infection.
District-level health officials had been instructed to closely monitor unusual bird deaths. While surveillance had been intensified across the State, Mr. Subramanian said there was no evidence so far of human transmission. “There is no need for panic, but people must remain vigilant and follow health advisories,” he said, adding the Chief Secretary had also held a high-level review meeting with officials to assess preparedness.
More Cath Labs
The Minister inaugurated a new cardiac catheterisation laboratory (Cath Lab) at the Omandurar Hospital, set up at a cost of about ₹8 crore, bringing the total number of Cath Labs commissioned since the present government assumed office to seven.
As part of decentralising cardiac care, Mr. Subramanian said five more Cath Labs would be established shortly in government hospitals in Cuddalore, the Nilgiris, Tiruvallur, Tiruvannamalai and Ramanathapuram.
Providing an update on the Madurai AIIMS, the Minister said construction had been delayed earlier due to pending loan disbursal from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Following the Chief Minister’s intervention, he and senior officials travelled to Japan and held discussions with JICA authorities, after which funds were released and construction resumed.
Published – February 10, 2026 05:59 pm IST
