A group of canoeists who were boating on the River Liffey last month are feared to have contracted the potentially-dangerous rat-borne Weil's disease, health authorities said today.
One of the seven who were in the river on October 13th has been confirmed as having the infection and tests are being carried out on the others, the Eastern Regional Health Authority said.
After the canoeing trip all seven displayed flu-type symptoms similar to those of Weil's disease.
The disease is caused by rats' urine, and the scare has prompted health officials to warn people against swimming in or boating on the Liffey.
The health authority's Dr Marie Laffoy said: "We want to know about anyone who was on or in the river on or around October 13th and has since come down with flu-like symptoms.
"It can be treated quite easily with antibiotics. Weil's is a bacterial condition, which is not common here at all. It can cause high fever, severe headaches, chills, muscle aches, jaundice and abdominal pains.
"If it is not treated, it can go on to cause other more severe complaints, like kidney and liver conditions and respiratory disorders.
"That's why it is so important to treat it early. We want people to be aware that there is a risk, even if it is a very small one."
PA