JINAN, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- One patient has died of H7N9 bird flu in east China's Shandong Province, local health authorities said Thursday.

The man, 77, was confirmed to have infected H7N9 Tuesday in Rizhao, and died later the same day.

To prevent the epidemic spreading, the Rizhao municipal government has activated an emergency response and suspended live poultry trade in the downtown area. No suspected cases have been reported so far.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in March 2013 in China. It is most likely to strike in winter and spring.