NANNING - An outbreak of influenza A has killed one student and hospitalized dozens of others in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, local authorities said Friday.

A 10-year-old student from a primary school in Dingsan Village, Laibin City, died of severe encephalitis on Thursday. Influenza is believed to have been the cause of the encephalitis, which is an inflammation of the brain.

More than 30 students at the school have shown symptoms of fever and cough since Sunday.

An investigation by local health authorities found that a total of 64 people from the villages of Dingsan and nearby Eshan, including 62 students and pre-school children and two parents, have developed similar symptoms.

So far, 52 of the patients now have a normal body temperature, while five others have been transferred to Laibin People's Hospital for further treatment.

The health authorities have intensified inspection and monitoring of the flu, and classes at related schools have been suspended to prevent the spread of the virus.