Fourteen new A/H1N1 flu cases confirmed in Britain

LONDON, May 31 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Department of Health confirmed on Sunday 14 new cases of A/H1N1 flu infections, bringing the country's total to 244.

Thirteen of the new cases were from England and one from Wales. Five of the cases were linked to previously confirmed cases, whereas six were travel-related. The three other cases were linked to ongoing investigations of school outbreak.

"The localized cases of swine flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission," said a spokesperson from the Health Department.

"Our strategy to slow the spread of the disease appears to have been effective, and the UK's arrangements continue to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection," added the spokesperson.

The Health Department pledged to be prepared for the possibility of a global pandemic.

To date, 225 cases have been confirmed in England, one in Northern Ireland, one in Wales and 17 in Scotland.

Meanwhile, according to the Health Protection Agency, 239 probable cases are currently under laboratory investigation in Britain.