ZHENGZHOU - Two new cases of H7N9 infection were reported from April 8 to April 14 in central China's Henan Province, local health authorities reported Sunday.

The two patients, a 45-year-old female surnamed Li from Nanyang City, and a 54-year-old male surnamed Deng from Pingdingshan City, are both critically ill in hospital, officials with the province's health department said.

The people who had close contact with the two patients have been observed and none are showing any symptoms, the officials added.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in China in March 2013. Infections are most likely to occur in winter and spring.

Disease control and prevention experts agreed that the H7N9 virus is not transmitted from person to person.

Experts recommend that people avoid contact with poultry, and only buy certified poultry.