SYDNEY (AFP) - Australia will spend an extra 44.2 million dollars (34 million US) to prevent deadly bird flu from reaching its shores.

More quarantine officers will be placed at airports and seaports and methods to detect the virus improved, he added Tuesday.

"Although the risk of a highly pathogenic bird flu outbreak occurring in Australia remains low, the continued spread of the virus overseas reinforces the need for us to remain vigilant and be prepared for the worst," McGauran said.

The extra funding will also refine national procedures for responding to an avian influenza outbreak.