Chickens at a farm in Wanjia village of Yangxin County showed symptoms of suspected avian flu and 3,200 died on Jan 7.

The National Avian Influenza Reference Laboratory confirmed the epidemic was H5N1 bird flu after testing samples collected from the farm, according to the MOA.

Local authorities have sealed off and sterilized the infected area, where a total of 46,800 chickens have been culled and safely disposed of to prevent the disease from spreading, according to the ministry.

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a contagious disease of animal origin caused by viruses that normally infect only birds and, less commonly, pigs. It can be fatal to humans.

Two new human H7N9 cases reported in Guangdong

Two new human cases of H7N9 were reported on Monday in Foshan City of south China's Guangdong Province,according to a statement from the provincial disease control and prevention center.

One patient is a 28-year-old woman surnamed Pu, who sells poultry. She lives in Lishui Township, Nanhai District of Foshan.

Pu fell ill on Jan. 6 and was hospitalized on Jan. 12. She is in stable condition, the statement said.

The other patient is a 46-year-old driver surnamed Ou, who lives in Shishan Town of Nanhai district. He breeds poultry at home.

He fell sick on Jan. 6 and was hospitalized on Jan. 9. He is in critical condition, it said.

The Nanhai district government decided to close all poultry markets in the district on Monday and Tuesday.

So far, Guangdong has confirmed 16 human H7N9 cases since August last year. One of the patients, surnamed He, died last week.

Xinhuanet