BANGKOK, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The government of Thailand has stepped up its preventive measures against the outbreak of Avian influenza, or bird flu, in response to concerns that an outbreak is likely to take place later this year.

    As part of the long-term solution, the government has set aside9 billion baht (257 million U.S. dollars) for a three-year plan designed to deal with the deadly virus, the state run Thai News Agency Thursday reported.

    Thai Deputy Prime Minister Paiboon Wattanasiritham, also Social Development and Human Security Minister, told a press conference on Thursday following a meeting of the national committee on bird flu prevention that in the past three months, bird flu outbreaks were reported in four provinces -- Phitsanulok, Nong Khai, Ang Thong and Mukdahan.

    As Thailand is vulnerable to the influenza, the kingdom must be alert to the possible reoccurrence of bird flu outbreaks, especially in the coming rainy season until the next dry season, as it is the period during which bird flu outbreaks usually peak, said Paiboon.

    As part of Thailand's prevention campaigns, he said, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and the Ministry of Public Health will begin implementing intensive measures against bird flu in July, including the thorough examination for the deadly virus in all areas nationwide deemed prone to its transmission.

    The government has set a three-year plan, 2008-2010, with 9 billion baht allocated, in preparation to deal with the disease, he said.

    Yukol Limlaemthong, deputy permanent-secretary of the Agriculture and Cooperatives Ministry, said that the production of vaccines against bird flu virus in poultry by Thai researchers is still in process and expected to be completed soon.