BRASILIA, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- Brazil announced a plan on Wednesday to fight a possible flu pandemic if the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus mutates into a form that can be spread between human beings.

    It is important for Brazil to be prepared and to deal with the virus openly, Health Minister Jose Saraiva Felipe told a news conference.

    According to the Health Ministry, the government launched a plan in 2003 that included granting 118 million US dollars to purchase 90 million doses of the anti-flu medicine Tamiflu, developing a possible vaccine and setting up centers for rapid detection of deadly viruses around the country.

    Felipe said the government has set up 46 centers capable of detecting the virus and is to set up more.

    He said the government experts also have used mathematical models to chart possible scenarios in case the flu mutates into a form that can be easily spread among people.

    The bird flu virus, which is circulating in Asia and Europe following the migration of migratory birds, has not been detected in Brazil so far. Brazil's migratory birds do not fly to Asia or any other regions where H5N1, which has killed at least 64 people around the world, has so far been detected. Enditem