CHANGSHA/GUANGZHOU -?More human H7N9 avian flu cases have been reported in central China's Hunan Province and the southern province of Guangdong this year, authorities said Tuesday.

According to the Hunan provincial disease control and prevention center,a total of eight cases have been reported in the past 16 days, including three deaths.

A new case was reported in Hunan on Monday. The patient, a 36-year-old woman from Hengyang City, is in critical condition and receiving medical treatment. She had contact with poultry before falling ill.

Another 11 H7N9 cases have been reported in Guangdong, with two deaths.

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.