Handling of SARS threat ‘lamentable’

THOSE charged with protecting the nation from the SARS threat faced scathing criticism yesterday as they briefed the Oireachtas Health Committee on their actions.

Criticising the lack of control to prevent SARS entering Ireland, Labour’s Liz McManus drew a comparison with the foot-and-mouth epidemic in 2001 and raised concerns over the influx of travellers during the Special Olympics.

“During foot and mouth, if the transport of hundreds of sheep from Cumbria was permitted there would be uproar, yet we do not have adequate controls in place,” Ms McManus said.