asked the Minister for Health whether in view of the recent smallpox outbreak in South Wales he will take steps to have the proposed International Rugby Football match between Ireland and Wales on 28th April further postponed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Smallpox Outbreak: Rugby International Postponement.
9.
It is a matter for each individual chief medical officer of a health authority to decide from time to time in the light of prevailing circumstances what particular precautions should be taken in his area to prevent the introduction of infectious disease. As the Deputy is, no doubt, aware, the International Rugby football match between Ireland and Wales was postponed from 19th March, 1962, at the request of the Chief Medical Officer of the Dublin Health Authority because of the outbreak of smallpox then current in South Wales. There is good reason to suppose that the occurrence of any further cases from that outbreak is unlikely, and I understand that, in view of this, the Chief Officer mentioned is of opinion that, unless the situation deteriorates, the holding of the match on the revised date, which was fixed in consultation with him, will not involve a danger of the importation of the disease into this country.