A total of 131 H7N9 avian flu cases have been reported on the Chinese mainland, including 39 that have ended in death, according to an update released Sunday by health authorities.

Of the total, 78 H7N9 patients have been discharged from hospitals after receiving treatment. The other 14 patients are being treated in hospitals, according to the National Health and Family Planning Commission.

China's confirmed H7N9 virus cases are isolated and there has been no sign of human-to-human transmission, the commission said.

Seven provincial regions including Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui have ended their emergency response to H7N9, the commission said.

It will update information about cases on the 10th of each month, holidays excluded.

Bird flu virus infects 724 people in Venezuela

A total of 724 people have been infected with the A/H1N1 bird flu virus so far this year in Venezuela, the Health Ministry said last Thursday.

Cases were reported in almost all states, with Caracas and the states of Merida, Tachira, Zulia and Lara being the most affected regions, the ministry said.

There was an upsurge of infections in May as cases rose from 236 at the beginning of the month to 724 at the end.

National and local health authorities have strengthened sanitary measures, especially at hospitals, to contain the spread of the virus.

Residents in the most affected regions were told to wear masks and wash hands frequently, and to see doctors once symptoms appear.

Some 1,000 A/H1N1 cases were reported in Venezuela in 2011.

Source: Xinhuanet