China's Ministry of Health on Monday announced one more human case of bird flu.

The infected is a 29-year-old peddler surnamed Cao from Jinhua Town of Chengdu City, southwest China's Sichuan Province, said a report released by the ministry.

She showed symptoms of fever and pneumonia on Jan 12 and is hospitalized in Chengdu currently in critical condition.

Cao's samples tested H5N1 positive by the Sichuan provincial center for disease control and prevention (CDC) on Jan. 17. Later, China's CDC re-tested her samples, which also showed positive, and isolated H5N1 strain from the samples.

She has been confirmed to be infected with bird flu in accordance with the standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Chinese government, said the ministry.

The ministry did not say if there was an outbreak of bird flu in poultry in Cao's living area.

Those having close contact with the new victim have been put under medical observation by local health authorities. So far, no abnormal symptoms have been reported.

This is the 10th human case of bird flu reported in China. Previously, the country reported nine cases, among whom six have died.

Also on Monday, Chinese Vice-Premier Hui Liangyu called for continuous efforts throughout the country to prevent and control avian flu in the upcoming Spring Festival and in the early spring.

Addressing a meeting held by the State Council on prevention and control of bird flu, Hui said the consumption demand for poultry products would soar during the lunar new year holiday, and in early spring migratory birds would begin their northernward movement, which will pose new challenges to the country's efforts to prevent and control of bird flu.

"Although the current situation is under control, we cannot relax or be optimistic. More outbreaks of bird flu are possible this year," he said.

He called on officials to enhance efficiency to monitor, prevent and control possible avian flu, and ensure chicken products sufficiently available in quantity and reliable in quality in market places during the lunar new year period.

According to Agricultural Minister Du Qinglin at the meeting, China has reported 33 bird flu outbreaks since 2005, involving 14 provinces and regions. So far, quarantine has been lifted in 32 affected areas.

Figures released by the World Health Organization show that as of today, the world has reported 149 human infection cases of bird flu, including 80 deaths.

At the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza held in Beijing on Jan 17 and 18, over 1.8 billion U.S. dollars of donations were collected from the European Union, the United States, China and other countries for reinforcing global efforts in bird flu prevention and control.

Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao announced at the conference that the Chinese government would donate 10 million U.S. dollars to the global combat against bird flu.

Source: Xinhua