New Zealand confirms swine flu cases

New Zealand has confirmed three swine flu cases with a further eleven probable cases, increasing the country's total to fourteen. All 14 people have contracted influenza A -- the virus that causes swine flu. Three were confirmed to have the disease on Tuesday evening, while the remaining cases are thought to be probable swine flu infections. New Zealand's Health Ministry said all three confirmed cases were people who had traveled to Mexico or North America. "Because of their travel history... we need to assume that this is swine flu," said Julia Peters of the regional public health service in the capital Auckland. Officials added that an additional 31 suspected cases were being investigated and that 179 people are currently held in isolation. One of those confirmed as having the disease was part of a school group that had just returned from Mexico. All 10 students and teachers of the group are displaying flu-like symptoms and have been quarantined. So far the only deaths from swine flu have been recorded in Mexico -- the epicenter of the outbreak, where more than 150 people are either dead or believed to have contracted the virus.