The number of confirmed cases of influenza A/H1N1 in New Zealand rose to 55 on Sunday, up from 43 on Saturday, the Health Ministry said, Xinhua reported.
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.
The latest case is a Burnside High School student in Christchurch. School principal Ron Noordijk said another 47 pupils and five teachers being treated with the anti-viral drug Tamiflu in home isolation will be able to return to school on Wednesday.
Deputy Director of Public Health, Darren Hunt, said that in most cases people who have the flu can recover at home. But those with previous medical conditions or whose symptoms are worsening should seek medical advice.
Health Minister Tony Ryall 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.
Ryall was also reminding the public that the World Health Organization (WHO) describes the virus as a mild flu.