Health department of southeast China's Fujian Province confirmed on Wednesday a human case of bird flu in the province.

The 44-year-old farmer surnamed Li in Jian'ou city in the province developed symptoms of fever, coughing and expectoration on Feb. 18, according to local health authorities.

Tests by the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention on the patient has confirmed that the patient has been infected with bird flu virus strain H5N1.

The patient is now receiving treatment at local hospital.

Local health authorities said they are closely monitoring those who had had close contact with the patient. So far, they showed no symptoms of the disease.

Li is the country's first human case of bird flu in about seven weeks since China reported on Jan. 10 that a 37-year-old farmer in east China's Anhui Province had contracted bird flu but had recovered.

The virus has killed 14 people in China since 2003.

According to Fujian health authorities, China's Health Ministry has conveyed the information to WHO, health agencies in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and some other countries.

Source: Xinhua