THE EU is to ban the movement of live birds and poultry meat from a Greek island region as the authorities there struggle with their first case of bird flu.

STRIKING public health doctors have disputed claims by the Department of Health that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the country against the SARS epidemic.

PUBLIC health doctors last night voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, claiming the Department of Health had continuously delayed negotiations on a number of issues.

Public Health Doctors in the Irish Medical Organisation, returned ballot papers with 94% in favour of industrial action following continuous delays on the part of the Department of Health & Children to enter into constructive negotiations on a number of issues.