A new suspected case of human infection of the H7N9 strain of avian influenza was reported on Friday in south China´s Guangdong Province.

The Guangdong Provincial Department of Heath announced that the sample from a female patient in Huizhou City had tested positive for the virus in initial tests on Tuesday.

The 51-year-old woman had reported contacts with live poultry, the department said.

The sample has been submitted to the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation.