Five new A/H1N1 flu cases confirmed in Britain

LONDON, May 22 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Department of Health confirmed on Friday five new cases of A/H1N1 flu infections, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 117.

The five were all from England. Two were adults from London, two from the South East and one child was from the West Midlands region. According to the Department of Health, there were two cases of returning travelers, one was linked to a previously confirmed case and in the two other cases the source of infection remained under investigation.

"The localized cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and our strategy of containing the spread with anti-virals appears to have been effective in reducing symptoms and preventing further spread of infection," said the statement.

The Department pledged to be prepared for the possibility of a global pandemic, adding the country's arrangements are continuing to ensure that "we are well-placed to deal with this new infection."