A 51-year-old woman from southern China is suspected of being infected with the deadly H7N9 bird flu virus, according to state media on Saturday.

The woman from the southern province of Guangdong had tested positive for the virus in an initial test earlier this week, state-run China Daily reported, citing local health authorities.

If confirmed, it would be the first human infection of the H7N9 bird flu strain in Guangdong, according to the report.

China reported the first human cases of the virus in late March. Since then, the virus has infected some 130 people and killed 43.

Scientists have expressed concern over the possibility of human-to-human transmission of the virus. Chinese experts reported the first likely case of the H7N9 transmission between humans earlier this week. (Yonhap News)