BRASILIA, Jan. 13 (Xinhuanet) -- The South American countries of Brazil and Uruguay have stepped up their prevention measures against avian flu, local press reported on Friday.

    The Brazilian government on Friday approved an anti-bird flu plan aimed at spending 44 million U.S. dollars curbing the epidemic's impact on its poultry industry.

    The Brazilian plan, designed to modernize laboratories, create hygiene barriers as well as to provide technical training and education, will come into force in March. It will be administered by the Agriculture Ministry.

    Brazil is the world's largest poultry meat exporter. Some 30 percent of its poultry production is destined for export, most of which is processed in the country's three southern states.

    Uruguayan Health Minister Maria Julia Munoz has also told local media that his government has intensified anti-bird flu measures and extended relevant provisions adopted in 2004.

    Departments dealing with the issue have been brought together with the Health Ministry being charged with the coordinating task, the minister said. Enditem