An expert group is to be set up in the State within days in an attempt to ensure all possible steps are taken to protect against the new pneumonia virus blamed for nine deaths worldwide.
The group will advise the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, on developments concerning the spread of the illness.
The National Disease Surveillance Centre (NDSC) announced the setting up the national group of experts yesterday when it issued guidelines to health professions and the public on the signs and symptoms of the infection.
Ninety per cent of cases of the mystery illness have occurred in healthcare workers.
The NDSC, which responded to the alert by issuing interim recommendations to accident and emergency departments, general practitioners and hospital specialists on how to deal with the virus, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), asked that it be directly informed of any suspect cases.
While neither the NDSC nor the Centre for Disease Control in Atlanta is able to give an exact cause for the illness or how it is transmitted, informed sources believe they are dealing with a viral illness. It is understood that the most likely virus is a hitherto unidentified form of the influenza virus.
Early manifestations of SARS include flu-like symptoms such as headache, sore throat and muscle pain. In some cases it progresses to severe breathing difficulties leading to the need for ventilation. In a small number of cases patients have died.
Dr Darina O'Flanagan, director of the NDSC, said last night: "People who have recently travelled to south-east Asia and Canada, and who develop flu-like symptoms, should seek medical help. It is important that they inform the doctor of recent travel arrangements."
She emphasised that suspect cases in Germany and Britain had only arisen in people who had recently returned from south-east Asia. "The Department of Health and Children and the NDSC are providing guidance for healthcare professionals to assist them in identifying and managing suspect cases, and in reducing the likelihood of spread of SARS should it appear in Ireland," she said.
"Travellers who have been to any of the affected areas need not be unduly concerned. At present, it appears that the risk of illness is very low even in the affected areas. However, if you become ill with flu-like symptoms - such as fever, aching muscles, headache, sore throat, cough and shortness of breath - within 10 days of returning from one of the affected areas, you should contact your doctor," she added.