HEFEI, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Two H7N9 human cases were reported in east China´s Anhui Province, the provincial health authority said on Wednesday.

Both patients are in a critical condition. It has been confirmed that both had been in contact with live poultry, in two different cities, before showing symptoms on Tuesday.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013. Humans are most susceptible in winter and spring.

So far 59 cases have been reported in south China´s Guangdong Province. Several other Chinese localities including Shanghai, Fujian, Guizhou and Zhejiang have also reported human cases of H7N9 this winter.

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