General Practitioners today described the recent revelations concerning SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) in China and worldwide as "very alarming".
They also warned there were no contingency plans in place in the event of a SARS emergency in the Republic.
Public health doctors have been on strike since for over a week over conditions of service and pay.
Dr James Reilly, chairman of the Irish Medical Organisation GP Committee said: "General Practitioners who may treat patients with possible SARS symptoms are not in a position to access information and expert advice on the infectious disease, contrary to reports by the Department of Health & Children."
"New infectious diseases, which result in high mortality, need to be monitored by experts and in turn information & guidelines made available to GPs promptly. The professionals who provide this service are Public Health Doctors."
"However, the Department of Health & Children's continued failure over the last nine years to address the issues in our Public Health system, which has led to this dispute, has left professionals and the public exposed," said Dr Reilly.
He said: "Reports from the Department of Health & Children that they have a contingency plan involving GPs and Accident & Emergency departments, should an outbreak arise, are 'untrue'."
"A number of General Practitioners have received no information/or updates on the disease nor have they a contact number in the event of an emergency such as SARS."