Bird flu fears ease as alert lifted in Shanghai

Shanghai lifted its flu epidemic alert yesterday, with the municipal government saying that no new human cases of H7N9 bird flu had been recorded for three weeks.

An assessment by a panel of specialists from the city's health authorities suggested the virus appeared to be under control, with the growth in new cases across the mainland slowing, and as yet no proof the virus can be transmitted from person to person, Xinhua reported.

The municipal government said 458 people who had been in close contact with H7N9 flu patients had been discharged from medical observation.

Since Shanghai reported its first human H7N9 case in late March, the city has had 33 cases. Thirteen of the patients have died and five are still receiving treatment in hospitals.

Across the nation, the number of infections stayed at 129, with 32 of the patients having died, according to Xinhua.

A 56-year-old man from Zhengzhou , Henan province, was the latest victim.