WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The White House is closely following the outbreak of a new strain of swine flu in the United States and President Barack Obama has been informed, an administration official said Friday.

“The White House is taking the situation seriously and monitoring for any new developments. The president has been fully briefed,” the official said.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the virus in the United States was a never-before-seen mixture of viruses typical among pigs, birds and humans. All seven American patients have recovered. But swine flu has also broken out in Mexico, killing at least 16 people.

(Reporting by Ross Colvin)