First human H7N9 case this winter reported in S China

GUANGZHOU - The first human H7N9 case this winter was reported in South China's Guangdong province, the provincial health commission announced Tuesday.

The case in a town under Meizhou city was confirmed on Monday, said the Guangdong Provincial Health and Family Planning Commission.

The patient was a farmer in his 70s. He is in hospital. The transmission is being investigated.

All live poultry markets in the township suspended operation on Monday for one week.

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

Last winter, human cases of H7N9 were reported in several Chinese provinces and municipalities, including Guangdong, Shanghai, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guizhou and Zhejiang.

Health specialists advised that people steer clear of live poultry to reduce infection risks.