ADDIS ABABA, Feb. 26 (Xinhuanet) -- Ethiopian official said on Sunday the country has set up an information exchange system around its Rift Valley lakes, aimed at preventing and controlling the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus.

    Hailu Wondimu, a senior veterinary officer, told journalists that the system was installed in a bid to prevent possible outbreak of the virus around Abiyata, Shala, Chamo and Awassa lakes as well as the Bale forests and humid areas.

    Experts believe that the Rift Valley lakes in Ethiopia are at high risk for avian flu outbreaks because millions of migratory birds fly south to warmer climes during the European winter.

    Hailu said a committee, in charge of gathering information for the prevention and control of the virus, was set up jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Oromia State's Agricultural Development Bureau.

    However, he added, no avian flu outbreak has so far been detected in the areas.

    Hailu said the country's veterinary laboratory has checked dead bodies of birds recently found in the areas and found the chickens were not infected with the bird flu virus.

    He also said the information exchange system would also be important in controlling and preventing other cross-border diseases.

    Early this month, the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu was found in the northern part of Nigeria, where thousands of poultry have died recently.

    The World Health Organization has urged all African countries to take measures to protect human health against bird flu and prepare for a pandemic. Enditem