HSE assistant national director of public health and child health Kevin Kelleher said the health services had been dealing with people who had been in China and have health issues.

The HSE along with Limerick City and County Council have prohibited human consumption of a water supply at Croagh Kilfinny GAA grounds in Co Limerick after it was found to be unsatisfactory with harmful bacteria.

Experts have downplayed fears of a new virulent strain of gonorrhoea “being worse than Aids”, but have admitted that the sexually transmitted infection is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics.