New human H7N9 case reported in central China

A new human H7N9 avian flu case was reported in central China's Hunan Province Thursday, bringing the total number of cases to five, local authorities said.

A 48-year-old man surnamed Xie died Thursday at a hospital in Yongzhou City, the provincial health and family planning commission said in a press release.

Xie, a native of Lingling District in Yongzhou, sought medication Wednesday and was diagnosed of human H7N9 avian flu. The immediate cause of his death was liver and kidney failures, the document said.

But it did not say how Xie contracted the illness.

Hunan Province has reported five cases of human H7N9 avian flu since the beginning of this year. Two of the patients have died and the other three are still receiving treatment, the document said.

Sporadic human H7N9 cases have been reported in Shanghai, Guangdong and Fujian.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013 in China. It is most likely to strike in winter and spring. Endi