Less than one-fifth of the 282 people on an Aer Lingus transatlantic flight who may have been exposed to tuberculosis from a passenger have been located so far.
A search was launched by Aer Lingus and the Mid Western Health Board on Monday after it was confirmed the man - diagnosed with infectious TB in the Limerick area earlier this month - was on flight EI 112 from New York to Belfast via Shannon last Monday. Just over 50 passengers had been traced by last night. The health board has set up two freephone helplines: 1800 233 033 for callers from the Republic and 0500 003306 from the North. Passengers from the US will also be contacted and referred for treatment locally.
Dr Michael Devine of the health board said the risk of infection was very small and the alert was precautionary.