A man in an eastern Chinese coastal city has died from the H7N9 strain of bird flu while his son is also being treated for the infection, local authorities announced on Tuesday.

The man, surnamed Xin, died of acute respiratory distress and multiple organ failure on Friday, the municipal government in Yantai of Shandong Province said in a statement.

The 61-year-old retiree developed fever and asthma on May 6 and was admitted to hospital on May 11 after his condition worsened. He was confirmed to be infected with H7N9 bird flu on May 21, according to the statement.

Xin's 33-year-old son was confirmed to be infected with the virus on May 22 and is currently under emergency treatment.

The son developed fever on May 15 and was admitted to hospital on May 20.

The municipal health bureau has put under medical observation those who have had close contact with the father and son and no new H7N9 cases have been reported.

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