China reports 5 new H7N9 cases, total 43

BEIJING - During the 25-hour period ending 6 pm on Friday, China confirmed five new cases of H7N9 avian influenza, with two in East China's Shanghai and three in Zhejiang province.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission in a daily update on H7N9 cases said the cases included 11 that ended in fatalities.

The deaths included one patient, who was confirmed as H7N9 cases days ago and died of the avian influenza Thursday night in Shanghai, according to local authorities.

So far, a total of 20 cases, including seven ending in fatalities, have been reported in Shanghai. Twelve cases, including one death, have been reported in Jiangsu, and two cases, including one death, in Anhui. Nine have been reported in Zhejiang, with two deaths.

China officially confirmed the occurrence of human infection with the H7N9 virus late last month.

No epidemiological link between those cases has been identified to date, the commission said.

Those who have had close contact with people infected by H7N9 have been placed under medical observation and have exhibited no abnormal symptoms, it added.

According to the commission, China's confirmed H7N9 cases are isolated and there has been no sign of human-to-human transmission.