H7N9 update: 63 infected, 14 dead

BEIJING - Another death from H7N9 bird flu was reported in China on Monday, bringing the nationwide death toll to 14.

The Department of Health of east China's Jiangsu province reported that a woman surnamed Gu, a 77-year-old who had previously tested positive for the H7N9 virus, died on Sunday night after emergency treatments failed.

The province also reported one new infection case. A 60-year-old man surnamed Kong tested positive for H7N9 on Monday and is receiving treatment in a hospital in Suzhou. Three people who have had close contact with him have not exhibited any abnormal symptoms.

Meanwhile, a 79-year-old patient has been transferred from the intensive care unit to a regular ward in the Second Hospital of Nanjing, according to the local health bureau.

The H7N9 virus was confirmed in a man surnamed Lu on April 5. He was in a critical condition, but has been recovering steadily and tested negative for H7N9 bird flu virus twice, the bureau added.

Another infection case was confirmed in neighboring Zhejiang Province on Monday, according to a statement issued by the provincial health department at 4 p.m. A 68-year-old woman surnamed Wang began exhibiting flu-like symptoms on April 3 and is now in a critical condition.

A man surnamed Chen in Anhui Province also tested positive for the strain of bird flu on Monday, according to the provincial health department. Of the 25 people who had been in close contact with the 60-year-old man, none have exhibited any abnormal symptoms.

A total of 63 H7N9 cases have been reported across China, with 24 in Shanghai, 17 in Jiangsu, 16 in Zhejiang, three in Anhui, two in Henan and one in Beijing.