DAKAR, Feb. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- Senegal on Saturday launched a national action plan for prevention of bird flu in order to keep the virus outside its border.

    Through the action plan, the government can keep a close eye on the epidemic situation around the world, and send out early warning in case of any outbreak in the country, said Cheikh Sadibou Fall, coordinator from Senegal's national committee for prevention and control of bird flu.

    Senegal has been free from bird flu, which has swept Asia, Europe and recently Africa, but the West African country has been keeping high vigilance because it is home to several sites where migratory birds flock.

    The national action plan will focus on the Djoudj natural reserve for birds in the north and neighboring villages, Fall told reporters.

    The Djoudj natural reserve has a size of about 160 square km, which is inhabited by 6 million migratory birds every year. Some birds have been found dead recently, which aroused the concern of the authorities. Enditem