All the live poultry stores in a local market are suspended due to a reported H7N9 case in Chonqing, southwest China, February 25, 2017. [File Photo: Chinanews.com]

CHENGDU, May 21 (Xinhua) -- A new H7N9 virus infection was confirmed in southwest China's Sichuan Province, local authorities said on Sunday.

The 44-year-old patient, surnamed Wang, is a seller of live poultry in a market in the city of Zigong, according to the government of the Ziliujing District of the city on Saturday.

The patient is being treated in a local hospital and is in stable condition.

All the live poultry markets in the city will be suspended for one month from May 22.

H7N9 is a bird flu strain first reported to have infected humans in China in March 2013. Infections are most likely to occur in winter and spring.

Disease control and prevention experts have said that the H7N9 virus is not transmitted from person to person.

Experts recommend avoiding contact with birds, and only buying certified poultry.