Brazil adopts measures to prevent bird flu
The Brazilian government on Wednesday unveiled a bird flu prevention plan which includes such measures as monitoring bird migration and taking strict control of guano and other bird residues that could spread the virus.

The states of Rio Grande do Sul, Parana, Santa Catarina, Sao Paulo, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais and Goias have all said they will follow the plan, which also requires state officials to register and inspect farms and poultry businesses, and publish reports on any cases of bird flu.

Brazil's Bird Farmers Union praised the measures, but warned against red tape in the public sector which might hinder the effective implementation of the plan.

The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu reappeared at the end of 2003 in Asia, and has been spreading in the world, hitting many countries in the last two months, including Turkey, Nigeria, Austria, Germany, Italy and France.

At present, it can only be passed from bird to bird, or to people having close contact with birds. But scientists fear the virus could mutate to cause a pandemic spreading from human to human.

So far, 92 of the 170 people infected with the virus have died, mostly in Asia, since 2003, according to the World Health Organization.