A 39-year-old man died of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in southwest China on Sunday, the Ministry of Health said.

The man, who began to suffer from fever on Jan. 6, died Sunday noon in a hospital in Guiyang, capital of Guizhou Province, after being treated with intensive care for three days, the ministry said.

The disease control and prevention centers at both the provincial and national levels have confirmed the case of H5N1 infection.

Till now, the 71 individuals who have been in close contact with the victim, have not shown unusual symptoms, the ministry said.