Do YOU live in a 'Celtic Curse' hotspot? Scientists reveal the areas of the UK and Ireland with the highest rates of little–known genetic disease
Scientists have revealed the areas across the UK and Ireland that are hotspots for the 'Celtic Curse'. Otherwise known as haemochromatosis, the Celtic Curse is a little-known genetic disease that causes a build-up of iron in the blood. Their analysis revealed that people with ancestry from the north-west of Ireland have the highest risk of developing the Celtic Curse. During the 1850s, around 20 per cent of Liverpool's population was Irish – significantly increasing the prevalence of the Celtic Curse gene. Just having the C282Y gene alone does not mean that someone will necessarily develop Celtic Curse.
Source: Daily Mail February 03, 2026 13:51 UTC
