Virus forces Greek schools to close

All Greek educational institutions, from pre-schools to universities, have been ordered to close for the rest of the week as a health precaution.

Announcing the closures, the Greek health minister, Alekos Papadopoulos, said the government was trying to prevent the spread of an unidentified virus, which has killed three people since Thursday.

Mr Papadopoulos said his ministry had recorded 19 cases of the virus, which attacks the heart and respiratory system.

He said children were not particularly vulnerable to the virus, but closing schools would help to stem its spread.

Hospitals are on alert and people have been asked to step up their personal hygiene. The results from scientific test to determine the virus are expected on Wednesday.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service