It was the first death of a person confirmed to have been infected with the strain, according to Taiwanese health authorities, who have been in contact with the Chinese authorities.
It could be the first confirmed case of human infection with the H5N6 strain, according to Toshihiro Ito, a professor at Tottori University in Japan who is versed in avian influenza.
The H5N6 strain, a subtype of the H5 variety that is highly toxic to birds, is different from the H7N9 strain which has caused human infections in China.
The man in Sichuan had been exposed to dead birds, according to the officials.
Health authorities in China said people who had close contact with the man have shown no abnormalities and that the risk of infection spreading to other people is low. The Taiwanese authorities have urged caution among those traveling to Sichuan.
source: www.abs-cbnnews.com
