Objective To research epidemic caused by a novel avian-origin human influenza (H7N9) virus in China underscores the need for studies on the pathogenicity and pandemic potential of the virus.Methods H7N9 virus infection in mice caged together with cohabitation mice to study changes in the clinical indications for cohabitation mice, viral replication of the virus in tissue distribution, and pathological changes. Results Our present study shows the H7N9 virus isolated from patients efficiently infects mice and causing lethal symptoms. In addition, the H7N9 virus could be transmitted to uninfected mice via direct contact and cause morbidity and pathological changes.Conclusion our mouse model of indirect infection can be used to study the pandemic potential of H7N9 virus in humans.