Five more cases of H7N9 bird flu have been confirmed in China. All five patients reported on Saturday are in critical condition.
Three of the infections were in eastern Zhejiang province. Zhejiang has now reported new cases of bird flu for 17 consecutive days. The total number of human infections in the province now stands at 47, the largest number among all provinces so far this year. The two remaining infections reported on Saturday were in Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces.
The total number of cases in Jiangsu now stands at four. Several other regions, including Shanghai and Beijing, have also reported human infections this year. In Shanghai, four out of eight patients have died from the deadly virus.
With the travel rush taking place ahead of the Chinese New Year, health experts have called on the public to stay away from live poultry and maintain good hygiene habits.