BOGOTA, Feb. 24 (Xinhuanet) -- The Americas are ready for any possible outbreak of bird flu, the Pan American Health Organization (OPS) said on Friday.

    Mirta Roses, head of the organization, said there is a global alert on bird flu as the deadly disease is continuing to spread in Europe.

    The H5N1 strain of bird flu has killed over 90 people worldwide since late 2003, according to the World Health Organization.

    Roses added that although the Americas are ready, it will be necessary to step up measures, particularly in the poultry farming sector, to halt the advance of the H5N1 virus.

    Bogota will host a regional meeting of health service officials in April to discuss local preventive measures against bird flu, she added.

    She also called on Colombia's armed rebels to halt attacks on medical personnel in the country.

    An OPS delegation led by Roses will leave Colombia on Saturday following a two-day visit to Bogota. Enditem