Belagavi, Feb. 20 -- With the outbreak of avian flu (H5N1) in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana, Karnataka has imposed a high alert in its border districts - Belagavi, Bidar, Ballari, and Raichur, officials familiar with the matter said, adding that surveillance has been increased and poultry trucks will be stopped from entering the state to curb the risk of infection.

During a meeting held in Bengaluru onMonday, principal secretary of the health department Harsh Gupta reviewed the situation and directed officials to monitor poultry workers and vehicles transporting poultry from the affected states. "Though no cases have been reported, we are on high alert to prevent the rapid spread of the virus among birds," he said.

Maharash...