China's health authorities have stepped up prevention and control measures against the spread of H7N9, urging local officials to attach high importance to the problem.

East China's Jiangxi Province reported 28 H7N9 human infections, including 7 deaths since January 1, news site cnr.cn reported Friday

Since January, at least 269 H7N9 human infections have been reported in China, with at least 87 fatalities, the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC) announced Thursday.

Most cases have happened in areas around the Yangtze and Pearl River deltas, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The NHFPC is training medical workers in screening and early diagnosis, and in treatment of critically ill patients. The commission has also ordered a ban on the live poultry trade in places where infections have been reported.

The disease control and prevention center in Jiangxi has set up four emergency response teams to tackle the outbreaks.

The animal husbandry department in Jiangxi has sent out 1,500 staff members to inspect 500 markets and 2,000 farms.

Beijing's food and drug authority also said on Thursday that four vaccines have received green light for clinical tests, bringing hope for better prevention and control in the future.

Exposure to live poultry is the major source of infections, particularly in rural areas. The flue is most likely to strike in winter and spring.