China reports 2 more cases of new bird flu virus

The Associated Press, Beijing | World | Sun, April 07 2013, 6: 35 PM

Shanghai has reported two more cases of human infection of a new strain of bird flu, raising the number of cases in East China to 20. The death toll among those who contracted the virus remains at six.

Health officials believe that people the H7N9 virus through direct contact with infected birds are Contracting and say there is no evidence of the virus that spreads easily between people.

China's official Xinhua News Agency reported the two new cases of Shanghai Sunday, citing local authorities.

Shanghai has been ordered by the Ministry of agriculture to stop its live poultry trade and slaughter all birds in markets where the virus is found.

The capitals of the neighbouring provinces of Zhejiang and Jiangsu have also suspended sales of live poultry. Both provinces have H7N9 cases reported.