The Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, said yesterday he hoped the spread of the SARS virus would not affect plans to host the Special Olympics in June.
SARS - Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - has been blamed for more than 90 deaths worldwide and has infected patients in at least 20 countries.
There have been more than 1,000 cases reported in China alone.
Over 7,000 athletes from 160 international delegations are planning to travel to Ireland to compete in the Special Olympics but the travel plans of some could be disrupted if the virus continues to spread.
Meanwhile, public health doctors here have claimed athletes travelling from countries where there have been SARS outbreaks risk bringing the virus with them.
To date there has been just one probable SARS case in the State, that of a man who was treated at Mayo General Hospital after returning from a trip to south-east Asia. He was discharged from hospital over a week ago.
Dr Joe Barry, vice-president of the Irish Medical Organisation, said plans to curb any possible spread of the virus could be put in place around the clock if public health doctors were rostered on a 24-hour basis.
The failure of health service employers to do this and agree pay rises for the 270 public health doctors in the State has resulted in the doctors serving strike notice for next Monday.
The IMO will meet health service employers later this week to agree on contingency plans for the strike.