The number of confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in New Zealand rose to 71 on Sunday, up from 43 on Saturday, the Health Ministry said.

Included the confirmed cases were five children from a Christchurch preschool and a police recruit.

Also among those confirmed as infected was a Year 12 student from Auckland's Westlake Girls High Student. Another 10 students at the school were suspected of having the flu.

All Year 12 students from Westlake Girls High School have the week off school

A group of 41 tourists in Hokitika had also been quarantined following concerns they had contracted the flu.

With the disease starting to spread beyond those who caught it through overseas contact, the Health Ministry said people must be prepared to recognize its symptoms and stay home if they are sick.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said on Sunday that there is no reason for alarm and that more cases are to be expected.

He said the health authorities have been planning for community transmission of the virus and will be able to cope with an expected rise in cases in the coming days.

He added that it's the same pattern as in Australia.

"We are working to contain the spread as much as possible. This is a rapidly changing situation with cases increasing exponentially both here and in many states of Australia," he said.

Deputy Director of Public Health Darren Hunt said that for most people, this flu is mild and they recover quickly at home without having to visit their doctor.

But those with previous medical conditions or whose symptoms are worsening should seek medical advice, he warned.

Hunt said that although community transmission had been expected and came as no surprise to authorities, it was the first indication of what is likely to be the much wider spread of the flu.

The danger of the flu was in its rapid spread, and the wider population had no immunity because it was a new strain.

Hunt noted that the number of cases in Australia skyrocketed from zero to more than 1,000 in as little as two weeks, a startling indication of its virulence.

Officials of the Health Ministry predict New Zealand may see more than 2 million infections over the next two years, but their estimates vary greatly from 20 percent to 60 percent infection rates.

On Saturday, the New Zealand health authorities were still focusing on containing the virus. But, as it spreads, the focus could move towards mitigating outbreaks in the community and treating serious cases, Hunt said.

"When we see wider community spread, and an increased number of cases, it won't be possible to swab and test everyone. When that happens local health authorities will focus messages on the general public, not just recently returned travelers. People need to continue to think about how they can look after themselves at home if they get sick."

That meant stocking up on food, water and supplies in case of several days' quarantine, he added.

The latest World Health Organization figures on Saturday showed74 countries had officially reported 29,669 cases of A/H1N1 flu, including 145 deaths.

(Xinhua News Agency June 14, 2009)