Workers at poultry processing factory in Changzhi, Shanxi province (file photo)

Chinese health officials say a 44-year-old woman from southern China has died from the deadly strain of the bird flu virus.

A statement on the Web site of the Health Department of Guangdong province identified the woman as a migrant worker from Shanwei City in Sichuan province.

The statement said the woman tested positive for the H5N1 strain of the disease and that she became ill after contact with dead poultry suspected of having the virus.

It also said that no one else who has come into contact with the woman has shown any symptoms of the virus.

China's central Health Ministry in Beijing has yet to comment on the case.

China has reported two other bird flu deaths this year.

The World Health Organization says China has had 19 bird flu deaths and 29 cases since the outbreak began in 2003.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.