Hebei reports new H7N9 case

SHIJIAZHUANG -- Another human H7N9 bird flu case was confirmed in North China's Hebei, local health authorities reported Saturday.

The patient, a 69-year-old male surnamed Liu, lives in a village in Dacheng County, Langfang City. He had been in contact with live poultry before he fell ill, officials with the county health department said.

Liu is in hospital and none of the people who had close contact with him have shown any symptoms, the officials added.

The county health department ordered a quarantine area to be set up around where Liu lived, inspections will occur at poultry markets and people have been advised to go to hospital straight away if they develop breathing issues.

It is the second human bird flu case reported in the region this week. Tianjin confirmed Friday that a 58-year-old female was infected.

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

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

Experts recommend that people avoid contact with poultry, and only buy certified poultry.