An embodiment detects, by a packet detection module on a first worker node, a first synchronization message (SYN) issued from a client pod on the first worker node and directed to a first server pod on a second worker node and generates a first SYN record in a connection table stored on the first worker node. The embodiment detects, by the packet detection module, a second SYN issued from the client pod and directed to the first server pod and generates a server pod status record stored in memory on the first worker node indicative of the first server pod having an unhealthy status. The embodiment identifies an available server pod having a healthy status and generates a detour routing rule in a routing table on the first worker node indicative of a revised connection in which the identified available server pod replaces the first server pod.