The Sri Lankan government has taken precautionary measures to prevent an outbreak of bird flu, the government spokesman announced Thursday.

    Minister of Health Nimal Siripala De Silva said a special program to educate people on bird flu at provincial levels with the help of the World Health Organization (WHO) has been launched.     

    "Up to now the disease has not entered the country and we have already put in place precautionary action," De Silva told reporters.

    The minister said that it is usual for migratory birds to enter the country during the period September to March and the government was well aware of the situation.

    He said possible entry points of birds carrying the disease will be identified and poultry farms in close proximity to the areas will be banned.

    The health authorities has earlier announced that a National Steering Committee and two high level technical committees will shortly forward a paper to the Cabinet on a divisional level program and a contingency plan on bird flu.