A new human H7N9 strain of bird flu case was reported in south China's Guangdong Province, making the total number of victims to 54, local health authorities said on Saturday.
A 48-year-old woman from Jinping District in Shantou City was diagnosed with the disease on Friday. She was hospitalized in critical condition.
H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013. It is most likely to strike in winter and spring. To prevent the epidemic the provincial government banned poultry trade at all markets in the province from February 19 to 28.
