Eight new A/H1N1 flu cases were confirmed by Britain's Department of Health on Sunday, bringing the total number of infected people in the country to 55.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health said: "Eight new cases of (A/H1N1) flu have been confirmed today in the UK, one in Scotland and seven in England. In England three of the new cases are adults, one from the East of England region and the other two from London. The other four cases are children of school age in the London area."

So far, all infections in Britain have been mild, and cases have been diagnosed and treated early, which has reduced the severity of symptoms, and helped to limit the spread, said the spokesperson.

"But we must not be complacent -- it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic. The UK's arrangements are continuing to ensure that we are well-placed to deal with this new infection," he noted.

To date, there have been 55 confirmed cases in the UK, 50 in England and five in Scotland.