Chennai, Nov 26 (IANS): The Tamil Nadu government Wednesday banned import of poultry from Kerala as a measure to prevent the spread of bird flu in the state, a government release said.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting, headed by Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, held here.

According to the statement, around 17,000 ducks died in Kerala due to bird flu and as a precautionary measure several steps have to be taken so that the flu does not spread to Tamil Nadu.

As per the decision taken at the meeting, poultry and poultry products coming into Tamil Nadu from Kerala will be turned back.

All vehicles from Kerala will be sprayed with disinfectants.

The Tamil Nadu government has decided to form 800 teams to take action in preventing the spread of bird flu.

The state government has also written to the Southern Railway authorities instructing them not to allow poultry and poultry products in trains from Kerala to Tamil Nadu.