Two H7N9 human cases were reported in east China's Anhui Province, the provincial health authority said on Wednesday.

Both patients are in a critical condition. It has been confirmed that both had been in contact with live poultry, in two different cities, before showing symptoms on Tuesday.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013. Humans are most susceptible in winter and spring.

So far 59 cases have been reported in south China's Guangdong Province. Several other Chinese localities including Shanghai, Fujian, Guizhou and Zhejiang have also reported human cases of H7N9 this winter.