Two new H7N9 bird flu cases have been confirmed in east China´s Jiangsu Province on Friday, the provincial health authorities announced.

That brings the total number of infections to 16 nationwide.

A 61-year-old woman, surnamed Yin, became ill on March 20 and was sent to a hospital on Tuesday after her condition worsened. She was confirmed to be infected with the H7N9 bird flu strain after the provincial disease control and prevention center said she tested positive for the virus.

A 79-year-old man, surnamed Lu, fell ill on March 21 and was sent to a hospital for treatment ten days later. It was also confirmed Friday morning that he has been infected with the H7N9 virus.

Sixty-five people, who have been in close contact with the two patients, have not reported symptoms of fever, runny rose or a cough to date.

Another two suspected cases were also reported in the province.

As of Friday afternoon, China has confirmed 16 H7N9 cases -- six in Shanghai, six in Jiangsu, three in Zhejiang and one in Anhui, in the first known human infections of the lesser-known strain.

So far, six people have died from H7N9 infections in Shanghai and Zhejiang.