More UK swine flu cases confirmed

Anti-viral drugs are being issued to those affected by swine flu

The Department of Health has confirmed that 29 more patients in England have been diagnosed with swine flu.

Together with 43 new cases announced in Scotland by the Scottish Government, the UK total now stands at 664.

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) said 23 of the new English cases are in the west Midlands, four are in the South East and two are in the North West.

The HPA said more than 500 cases are currently under laboratory investigation in the UK.

A Department of Health spokeswoman said: "The localised cases of swine flu found in the UK have, in the majority of cases, not been severe and we have not seen evidence of widespread community transmission.

"We are continuing to work to slow the spread of the disease and to put in place arrangements to ensure that the UK is well-placed to deal with this new infection.

"But we must not be complacent — it is right to prepare for the possibility of a global pandemic."