CARACAS, Feb. 27 (Xinhuanet) -- The Venezuelan government on Monday announced a national plan to battle possible outbreaks of bird flu.

    The plan was drawn up by the Health Ministry in line with World Health Organization's guidelines, Colonel Antonio Rivero, director of civil protection department said.

    According to the plan, Venezuela has prepared for two scenarios: one involving outbreaks only among birds, and the other when humans are also hit by the disease.

    The measures include surveillance of poultry farms, farm workers, domestic and wild birds, and identification of high-risk areas like zoos and stopping points of migratory birds.

    Intensified restriction on poultry imports and strict inspection at ports and airports may be applied if necessary.

    A network for hospitals to report respiratory illnesses and controls to prevent panic buying of anti-flu drugs has already been set up under the plan, Rivero told Venezuela's television channel Glob vision.

    Venezuela is now ready to face any possible outbreak of bird flu, he added.

    The deadly H5N1 strain has killed more than 90 people worldwide since 2003, most of them in Asia. Enditem