Han Ximin

SHENZHEN’S second death from the H7N9 bird flu virus was reported yesterday, heightening concerns of local health officials and residents.

Guangdong Province’s health department said an 81-year-old woman surnamed Yu, who lived in Luohu District, died Friday. She was confirmed Saturday to have had the H7N9 virus.

The city’s first H7N9 death was a 63-year-old man who died Feb. 1. Liang lived in Buji Subdistrict, Longgang District, and was diagnosed with the virus the day he died.

Shenzhen so far has reported 19 human H7N9 cases. All live poultry markets in Shenzhen currently are closed until Thursday.

Guangdong Province health officials had reported 60 H7N9 cases and 13 deaths as of yesterday.

Though the virus is spreading to more regions, the chances of H7N9 becoming a pandemic are slim, provincial health authorities said.

More than 120 human H7N9 cases, including more than 25 deaths, have been reported across China since Jan. 1.

Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center said its genetically engineered vaccine had passed preliminary tests on laboratory mice and would have to go through a clinical test to prove its effectiveness in protecting humans before being put into use.