Two H7N9 cases reported in central China

CHANGSHA -- Two new cases of H7N9 infection were reported from March 31 to April 6 in central China's Hunan Province, health authorities said Saturday.

Live poultry trading has been suspended in the provincial capital Changsha since March 17, which will last until the end of April.

Nationwide, 79 people died in January from the virus, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in China in March 2013. Infections are most likely occur in winter and spring.

Disease control and prevention experts have said that the H7N9 virus is not transmitted from person to person.

Experts recommend that people avoid contact with dead and live poultry, and only buy poultry with quarantine certificates.