XI'AN -- A 62-year-old man died from the H7N9 virus infection in Northwest China's Shaanxi province, local health authorities said Wednesdayx The man, surnamed Zhang, from Xianyang city, first showed symptoms of coughing and fever in late April, and was treated at the First Hospital of Xianyang before transferring to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, the provincial health and family planning commission said.

He tested positive for the virus and died on May 1. It was the first H7N9 bird flu case reported in the province.

All live poultry markets in Xi'an and Xianyang have been closed, and medical workers are checking and disinfecting relevant trading areas.

Nationwide, a total of 96 people were reportedly infected by the H7N9 virus in March, leaving 47 dead., according to the national health and family planning commission.