NANJING - The Health Bureau of East China's Jiangsu province reported a new H7N9 bird flu infection on Friday, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in China to 88.

A 54-year-old man surnamed Chen who lives in the Xuanwu District of the provincial capital of Nanjing tested positive for the virus on Friday, according to a statement from the Jiangsu Provincial Health Bureau.

The patient is being treated at a local hospital and is in critical condition, the statement said.

Four people who had close contact with the patient have been placed under medical observation, but have not shown any abnormal symptoms, it said.

Seventeen of the 88 cases reported thus far have resulted in death.