Two more human cases of a new strain of bird flu were reported in Shanghai on Sunday, bringing the total number of those infected to 20, with six casualties.
Health officials say there is no evidence H7N9 was spread between humans and that those infected most likely contracted the disease by direct contact with contaminated fowl.
Shanghai has been ordered by the agriculture ministry to halt its live poultry trade and to slaughter all fowl in markets where the virus has been found, Fox News reports.
The capital cities of neighboring provinces Zhejiang and Jiangsu, where H7N9 cases have been reported, also have suspended sales of live poultry, Fox reports.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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