Lithuanian Defense Minister Gediminas Kirkilas said Tuesday that the military is ready to offer aid in case of a bird flu outbreak in the country.

The armed forces will be mobilized to help the Health Ministry and civil departments handle the crisis if there is an outbreak of bird flu, Kirkilas said.

The soldiers will be equipped with necessary kits holding such items special clothes, masks and disinfectants, he added.

In view of the rapid spread of the H5N1 influ virus around the globe, Lithuania's State Food and Veterinary Service has worked out specific plans to cope with a possible bird flu outbreak in the country.

Source: Xinhua