Chinese health authorities say 83 people have been confirmed to have been infected with the H7N9 strain of avian influenza.

The authorities say five people were newly confirmed on Wednesday in Shanghai and Zhejiang Province. They said another person has died from the virus, bringing the death toll to 17.

Confirmed cases have been reported in Shanghai, Beijing and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui and Henan.