New Zealand's Ministry of Health said on Thursday that the number of confirmed and probable cases of Influenza A/H1N1 in the country has remained unchanged for the past five days at seven and 12 respectively.

There were also 41 suspected cases - down eight since Wednesday-and an estimated nine people in isolation.

Numbers of suspected cases fluctuate as more people with symptoms arrive from affected areas are assessed (treated and isolated), and as laboratory testing rules out some suspected cases.

Canterbury District Health Board said there continues to be no confirmed cases in the South Island, but it is still too early to know how the virus will behave in the long term.

The Health Ministry said 33 countries have officially reported 5728 cases. It says 61 people have died worldwide as a result of the virus.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2009)