Infection threat as doctors set to strike

A VOTE for all-out strike by public health doctors could leave the country exposed to outbreaks of infectious disease, including the new killer pneumonia virus.

More than 300 public health doctors yesterday voted unanimously to extend their ongoing work-to-rule into an all-out strike in April.

The Irish Medical Organisation (IMO), which represents the doctors, said the escalation is due to Government failure to financially recognise their specialist training or to pay them for out-of-hours cover in the control of infectious diseases.