During the 24-hour period ending at 5 p.m. on Thursday, China confirmed five new cases of human H7N9 avian influenza, including one in Shanghai, one in Jiangsu, two in Zhejiang and one in Henan.

The National Health and Family Planning Commission said in its daily update on H7N9 cases that a total of 87 H7N9 cases have been reported in China, including 17 that have ended in death.

Of the total, six H7N9 patients have been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment, and the other 64 patients are being treated in designated hospitals, according to the commission.

A total of 32 cases, including 11 that have ended in death, have been reported in Shanghai. Twenty-one cases, including three deaths, have been reported in Jiangsu Province, and 27 cases, including two deaths, in Zhejiang Province. Anhui Province has reported three cases, with one ending in death. Beijing has reported one case and three have been reported in Henan Province.

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

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

(Xinhua News Agency April 18, 2013)