New Zealand confirms more swine flu infections

New Zealand's number of swine flu cases rose to 14, health officials said, and broadened to include one person who was not among a school group who recently returned from Mexico, the epicenter of the outbreak that is spreading around the world.

Health Minister Tony Ryall said World Health Organization lab tests in Australia had confirmed three cases of swine flu among members of the school group who showed flu symptoms, and that officials had decided that was evidence enough to assume all of them were infected.

Senior regional health official Dr. Julia Peters said Wednesday the tally had risen to 14 overnight because two more students in the group and an another traveler who recently returned from North America were also believed to be infected.

"We should assume it is swine flu among the 14 cases identified," Peters told reporters. All 14 were responding well to treatment with antiviral drugs and were in voluntary quarantine a home.

New Zealand has 44 other possible cases, with tests under way.

Officials say the swine flu strain infecting the New Zealand students is the same as that in Mexico.