27 January 2009 -- The Ministry of Health in China has announced three new confirmed human cases of H5N1 infection. The first, a 31-year-old female from Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region had onset of symptoms on 10 January. She received treatment in hospital but died on 23 January. Investigations into the possible source of her infection indicate recent visits to a live poultry market. The local authorities are currently conducting epidemiological investigations and close contacts are being monitored. To date, no clinical symptoms have been reported among the contacts.

The second case is a 29-year-old male from Guiyang city, Guizhou. He had onset of symptoms on 15 January and remains in a critical condition. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate possible exposure at poultry market.

The third case is an 18-year-old male from Beiliu City, Guangxi Province. He had onset of symptoms on 19 January and died on 26 January. Investigations into the source of his infection indicate a recent history of exposure to sick and dead poultry. Close contacts of the case are being monitored and to date all remain well.

Of the 37 cases confirmed to date in China, 25 have been fatal.