LUSAKA, Feb. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- The Zambian government has set aside 16 billion kwacha (about 4.85 million U.S. dollars) to contain any possible outbreak of the avian influenza H5N1, Health Minister Sylvia Masebo said here Tuesday.

    The minist er said the money will be used to sensitize people, contain the outbreak of bird flu and reduce deaths in the event that the disease breaks out.

    Presenting a ministerial statement on bird flu, she told the parliament that the money will also be used to compensate the farmers whose poultry will be slaughtered in the event of an outbreak.

    Masebo however, said the money is not enough and the ministry is looking at ways of mobilizing more resources.

    She said the ministry and corporating partners have put in place measures at border areas to restrict the importation of poultry.

    Masebo since advised the members of Parliament to sensitize their constituencies on the importance of reporting unusual deathsin poultry. Enditem