CHENGDU, May 6 -- China reported a human H5N6 virus infection on Tuesday. The patient has died.

A 49-year-old man from Nanbu County of Nanchong City in southwest China's Sichuan Province was confirmed to have contracted the virus, and has died in hospital, according to the Health and Family Planning Commission of Sichuan Province.

The patient had been exposed to dead poultry, but people who had close contact with him have shown no symptoms, according to the commission.

Experts believe the infection is an individual case and the risk of further infection is low.