Rise in probable cases of swine flu

The number of confirmed cases of swine flu remained at six today, but the number of probable cases rose by three to 14, the Ministry of Health says.

Deputy director of public health Dr Fran McGrath said 10 of probable cases were from the Rangitoto College group who returned home to Auckland from Mexico on April 25.

They had now been treated and completed isolation.

A further Auckland case had also been treated and completed isolation.

Meanwhile, officials on Pitcairn Island have downgraded the island's restrictions to outside visitors.

On Saturday, the island closed its borders because of the swine flu scare.

However, island officials had decided that yachties would be allowed onto the island if they passed a health check.

Other ships had to produce a regular port health certificate upon arrival.

The island was halfway between New Zealand and Chile, it has just 4.6sq km of land, no airport, one cafe and no hotels or motels.

- NZPA