First human infection by a novel avian influenza A(H7N4) virus

•We report the first case of avian influenza A(H7N4) infection in human beings.•The report suggests that the virus can be transmitted from poultry to humans.•The patient infected with the novel avian influenza A(H7N4) was cured.•Uninfected close contacts indicate little evidence of human-to-human transmission.