FUZHOU, Jan. 17 -- Two new human H7N9 cases were reported on Friday in east China's Fujian Province, bringing the total number to six in the region, local authorities said.

One patient is a 38-year-old woman surnamed Wu, who is in critical condition and receiving treatment in the city of Jinjiang, according to a statement from the provincial health and family planning commission.

Another patient is a 54-year-old man surnamed Chen. He is in serious condition and receiving treatment in hospital in Fuzhou City, it said.

So far this year, human H7N9 cases have also been reported in Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces and Shanghai municipality. Two deaths have been reported in Zhejiang.