Britain's Department of Health confirmed on Thursday 17 new cases of A/H1N1 flu infections, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 203.

The newly confirmed cases were all from England, with thirteen children and one adult from west Midlands linked to the ongoing investigation of a school outbreak.

The additional newly confirmed cases were two adults in London, which were one returning traveller and one linked to a previously confirmed case. There was also one child in east England whose source of infection was still under investigation.

The localized cases of A/H1N1 flu found in the UK have so far been mild, and the authorities have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission, a spokesperson from the Health Department said.

"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 spokesperson.

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

To date, 188 cases have been confirmed in England, one from Northern Ireland and 14 from Scotland.

According to the Health Protection Agency, 144 cases are currently under laboratory investigation in Britain.

(Xinhua News Agency May 29, 2009)