THE Eastern Health Board has given assurances that mosquitoes discovered in a Dublin hospital are harmless and unable to spread infectious disease.
Areas of Cherry Orchard Hospital in Ballyfermot have been affected by mosquitoes from an unknown source in recent weeks. The hospital treats people suffering from AIDS, tropical diseases and other infectious diseases.
Dr Brian O'Herlihy, director of public health medicine for the EHB, said mosquito bites could not transmit infections or diseases.
"Nowhere in the world are insects associated with the spread of HIV. The mosquitoes found in the hospital have been analysed and are a native species which cannot transmit any diseases."