China reports two more H7N9 bird flu cases

HANGZHOU - Two infections of H7N9 bird flu, involving one death, were reported in East China's Zhejiang province, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to nine, local authorities said Wednesday.

One of the infected has already died, said a statement issued by the provincial health department.

According to the statement, a 38-year-old chef surnamed Hong died March 27. The man, who worked in Jiangsu province, where four other cases of H7N9 bird flu have been identified, became ill on March 7 and returned to his home in Jiande, Zhejiang, where he was admitted to a hospital on March 18.

The provincial and national disease control centers confirmed on Monday and Wednesday, respectively, that he was infected with H7N9 avian influenza.

The other patient, a retired Hangzhou man surnamed Yang, was admitted to a hospital on March 25 with a cough and fever. He was transferred to another hospital for better treatment and remains hospitalized, said the statement.

Provincial and national health authorities confirmed on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, that he is infected with the H7N9 avian influenza virus, the statement said.

No epidemiological connection between the two cases has been found so far, it said.

A total of 183 people who came into contact with the two men have so far shown no symptoms of fever or respiratory illness, the statement said.