Henan Province today confirmed finding two cases of the H7N9 bird flu in humans, the first time in the central China province.

The Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention said the infected are a 34-year-old chef and a 65-year-old farmer. Both are being treated in local hospitals.

The chef is in critical condition in Huaihe Hospital in the provincial capital Kaifeng, while the farmer is said to be in a stable condition at an infectious disease hospital in Zhoukou City, according to the center.

The chef developed symptoms on April 6 and were transferred to Huaihe Hospital on April 9. The farmer was admitted by the Zhoukou hospital on April 10 after developing symptoms of high fever and cough.

The center checked their samples on April 11 and confirmed to contain H7N9 virus. A double check from State Center for Disease Control and Prevention today proved it.

A total of 19 people who had close contacts with the two new infected are under quarantine, but have not shown any signs of infection, said the center.

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