Health

WHO says six hantavirus cases confirmed so far

There are six confirmed cases of hantavirus so far out of eight suspected ones following an outbreak on a cruise ship, the World Health Organization said.

World • 2 hrs

People listen as a person speaks at a conference with a power point presentation on a screen

HSE not indifferent to overcrowding, INMO conference told

The CEO of the Health Service Executive has said she recognises that many nurses are working in environments where they feel compromised by trolley waits and trying to admit patients without beds.

Health • 13 hrs

Helen McEntee speaks to press prior to EU Foreign Ministers Meeting in Brussels.

Irish passengers on hantavirus-hit ship 'safe and well'

Two Irish people on board a virus-hit cruise ship are "safe and well", the Minister for Foreign Affairs has said.

Ireland • 10 hrs

'Give us some hope' - Families seek access to rare disease drugs

Families, campaigners and clinicians are calling for more public money to be provided to pay for access to drugs which could help people with rare diseases.

Prime Time • 17 hrs

Michael Cuddihy's family 'hope that in some way Dad's story will be able to help somebody else'

'We miss my Dad' - family after father's sepsis death

The family of a man who died from sepsis two days after he was discharged from hospital while seriously ill has said they hope their father's story will help others.

Courts • 07 May

Health personnel were seen boarding the cruise ship MV Hondius off the coast of Praia, Cape Verde, on May 6

WHO: Cruise hantavirus outbreak 'not start of a pandemic'

The World Health Organization has insisted that a deadly hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship in the Atlantic did not mark the beginning of a Covid-like crisis.

Hantavirus • 22 hrs

jennifer carroll macneill speaks to delegates at INMO conference

INMO in emergency motion over cost-of-living pressures

The Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation has passed an emergency motion on cost-of-living pressures on nurses and midwives.

Health • 07 May

Linda Engelberch and her five-month-old son Colter, RTE

'It's lovely' - Praise as singing group helps new mothers

A pioneering mother and baby group has been praised for creating a safe and joyful space for mothers experiencing perinatal mental health issues.

Health • 07 May

An image of a hospital corridor with the words Waiting Room on a door

Up to 47,000 outpatient appointments missed every month

Between 39,000 and 47,000 hospital outpatient appointments are missed every month, according to new figures.

Politics • 06 May

his aerial view shows health personnel assisting patients onto a boat from the cruise ship MV Hondius, while stationary off the port of Praia

Hantavirus-hit ship passengers to be evacuated on Monday

A ship hit by a deadly hantavirus outbreak will reach the Spanish island of Tenerife "within three days", with the evacuation of passengers to start from 11 May, the Spanish government has said.

World • 07 May

HSE to pause some recruitment due to €250m overspend

The HSE has told its health regions to control spending on overtime, agency staff and recruitment.

Health • 06 May

Irish on virus-hit ship to quarantine, says dept

The Department of Health has said plans are being developed to manage the care of two Irish nationals, onboard the cruise ship hit by the hantavirus outbreak, on their return to Ireland.

Ireland • 06 May

Parents of surrogate children in call over new law

Parents of children born through surrogacy are calling on the Government to commence the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 without delay.

Ireland • 06 May

Cola soft drink with ice cubes, Close up of soda fizzy drink in Cold glass on gray background

Is the sugar tax making fizzy drinks more expensive?

The Sugar Sweetened Drinks Tax on fizzy drinks was introduced in 2018, but is it really making unhealthy fizzy drinks more expensive?

Health • 07 May

a photograph of two adults and two children reading books

Couple's story highlights concern over surrogacy loophole

Cathy and Keith Wheatley first spoke out about their concern regarding the legal loophole which left their children in a precarious position in 2021.

Ireland • 06 May

A fisherman sails past the cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde

Hantavirus-hit cruise ship to sail to the Canary Islands

Two seriously ill crew members on a cruise ship amid a deadly hantavirus outbreak will be evacuated via Cape Verde to the Netherlands, allowing the vessel to sail on to Spain's Canary Islands, the operator said.

World • 06 May

Doctor's desk with stethoscope and laptop.

Clarity recommended over role of physician associates

An independent review into the role of physician associates has found that a lack of clarity around the role in Ireland's health service caused "avoidable risk".

Health • 06 May

Rare skin condition patients gain access to new treatment

The first authorised treatment for a painful and incurable skin condition has been made available in Ireland, in what has been described as a "transformative moment".

Health • 05 May

738 patients harmed in medicine-related incidents in 2025

There were 738 patients harmed in medication-related incidents in HSE services last year, according to new figures.

Health • 05 May

Most EU pharmaceutical products remain subject to a 15% tariff rate (stock image)

Govt renews call to Europe for pharmaceutical taskforce

The Government has renewed its call on the European Commission to set up a pharmaceutical taskforce in light of ongoing threats by the Trump administration to impose fresh tariffs on the sector.

Europe • 05 May

view of a researcher in a lab dropping blood sample in a Petri dish.

What is hantavirus and how deadly is it?

Hantavirus, the disease which has caused a deadly outbreak on a cruise ship in the southern Atlantic, circulates in rodents and can be deadly when transmitted to humans.

Health • 05 May

Aerial image shows a medium sized cruise ship sailing on the sea.

Timeline of events on board MV Hondius

Seven cases hantavirus has been confirmed on board a cruise ship currently anchored off the coast of Cape Verde.

World • 05 May

The cruise ship MV Hondius stationary off the port of Praia, the capital of Cape Verde, on May 3, 2026.

Three die in suspected virus outbreak on cruise ship

Three people have died on a cruise ship in the Atlantic, the World Health Organization has said, including one confirmed case of hantavirus - an illness usually transmitted to humans from rodents.

World • 04 May

Too few survivors know of services, say SATU workers

People who work to aid survivors of sexual assault in the immediate hours and days following an attack fear that too few people know about their services, despite the fact that demand is growing.

Ireland • 03 May

New Children's Hospital courtesy of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board.

'No excuse' for delays over completion of NCH - Taoiseach

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said that there is "no excuse" for the delays to the completion of the National Children's Hospital.

Health • 01 May