The death of another H7N9 patient in Shanghai was announced on Monday, taking the city's total number of fatalities from the new type of bird flu virus to 13.

The 89-year-old patient, surnamed Chen, died after 12 days of medical treatment failed, according to a statement from the Shanghai Municipal Health and Family Planning Commission on Monday afternoon.

Chen, a native of neighboring Jiangsu Province, tested positive for the flu on April 17 at the Shanghai Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

No new H7N9 bird flu cases were reported as of Monday afternoon in the city, where 33 cases have been confirmed, the statement said.

A total of 11 patients in the city have been discharged from hospital after recovering, it added.

The H7N9 virus has now infected 126 people in China, including 24 patients who died.

Experts say that so far there is no evidence it can spread easily among people.

They believe infections are caused by some kind of contact with sick birds.

A joint study group yesterday said there was no evidence to indicate anyone has been infected following the consumption of poultry or eggs.

The group, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and the World Organization for Animal Health, said properly handled and cooked poultry was safe to eat, Xinhua news agency reported.

The group began working in China on April 25.

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