The number of confirmed H1N1 flu cases in Japan has risen to 96, a health ministry official said on Monday, with most of new cases seen in high school students in western Japan, many of whom have not travelled abroad.

Over 80 high school students in Hyogo and Osaka prefectures were confirmed to be infected with the new flu virus, Keiichiro Suemasa, a health ministry official said. The ministry has not received information on anyone being critically ill from the H1N1 flu, Suemasa said.