China H7N9 bird flu update: Total cases 87, death toll 17

China confirmed the number of bird flu affected cases reached 87 in the country, with a total of 17 people already dead due to H7N9 avian influenza. Five new cases of human H7N9 avian influenza -- one in Shanghai, one in Jiangsu, two in Zhejiang and one in Henan, Xinhua reported. 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 had been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment, and the other 64 patients were being treated in designated hospitals, according to the commission.

A total of 32 cases, including 11 that have ended in death, have been reported from Shanghai alone. China confirmed the occurrence of humans infected with the H7N9 virus late last month.

Source: IANS