GUIYANG, Jan. 13 -- A suspected H7N9-infected patient died in southwest China's Guizhou Province, local authorities said on Monday.

The patient, identified only as a 38-year-old man from Meitan county, had been working in Ruian City of east China's Zhejiang Province. He showed symptoms of cough and dizziness a month ago and returned to Meitan on Jan. 4 for medication.

The man was transferred on Jan. 8 to the First People's Hospital of Zunyi city as his conditions were getting worse. He died in the hospital a day later.

Doctors confirmed it as a suspected H7N9 case on Jan. 11. It is the first case of its kind in Guizhou.

People who had direct contact with the man have all tested negative for the virus.