London - Five new cases of swine flu infection have been confirmed in Britain, taking to 39 the number of people diagnosed with the influenza A(H1N1) virus.

The Department of Health said the new cases involved four children and one adult at a private school in London which has been temporarily closed down after six pupils were diagnosed there earlier this week.

All 1,200 pupils as well as staff have been given Tamiflu antiviral drugs as a precaution.

More than 400 people in Britain are currently being tested for the virus.