During the 24-hour period ending at 6 p.m. on Monday, China confirmed three new cases of H7N9 avian influenza, with one more death reported in east China's Jiangsu Province.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission said in its daily update on H7N9 cases that a total of 63 H7N9 cases have been reported in China, including 14 cases that have ended in death.

The three new infections were confirmed in patients from Anhui, Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces.

A total of 24 cases, including nine ending in death, have been reported in Shanghai. Seventeen cases, including two deaths, have been reported in Jiangsu Province, and 16 cases, including two deaths, in Zhejiang Province. Anhui Province has reported three cases, with one death. Beijing has reported one case and two have been reported in Henan Province.

China officially confirmed the occurrence of humans infected with the H7N9 virus late last month.

Those who have had close contact with people infected by H7N9 have been placed under medical observation and have exhibited no abnormal symptoms, the commission said.

According to the commission, China's confirmed H7N9 cases are isolated and there has been no sign of human-to-human transmission.

The commission said it will set up a joint inspection group with the World Health Organization to launch a week-long investigation and analyze the development of the virus.

(Xinhua News Agency April 15, 2013)