SHENYANG, July 5 -- One patient has died of H7N9 bird flu in northeast China's Liaoning Province, local health authorities said on Tuesday.

The death was reported on June 16 at Shenyang City of Liaoning Province, according to the provincial commission of health and family planning.

A 67-year-old man became feverish after he butchered a chicken at home. He was admitted to a local hospital, where his condition was stabilized before getting worse, the commission said.

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.