East China's Shandong Province has confirmed its first case of H7N9, according to the provincial health department.

The man, a 36-year-old construction materials wholesaler from Zaozhuang City, tested positive for the H7N9 avian influenza virus on Monday by the Shandong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

The result was confirmed by the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention on Tuesday.

The man is in serious condition. Nine people who have had close contact with him have not exhibited any abnormal symptoms.

As of Monday afternoon, a total of 104 H7N9 cases have been reported in China, including 21 that have ended in death.

(Xinhua News Agency April 23, 2013)