H7N9 bird flu kills one in Central China

CHANGSHA - The H7N9 bird flu has killed one person in Central China's Hunan province, local health authorities said Wednesday.

A 64-year-old woman surnamed Guan died Tuesday morning at a hospital in the city of Shaoyang some 20 days after her infection was confirmed, the Hunan Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission said.

She was the first person in Hunan diagnosed with the virus. Another three patients were confirmed afterward. One of the three died earlier this month, one has recovered and the other is still in critical condition, according to the commission.

The first human infection was reported in China in late March. Authorities have recorded 130 confirmed cases thus far.

Previously the National Health and Family Planning Commission said the virus had killed 35 people on the mainland, while 57 of those infected had recovered as of May 13.