Greek church rejects virus link

Anxious parents have been flocking to hospitals

The Greek Orthodox Church has angrily dismissed reports in the national media that taking holy communion could spread a mystery virus which has killed three people over the last week.

If the rate of reporting of new cases remains over the next few days at the same levels, then we can talk about a decline

Greek Health Ministry

"It should be considered blasphemous, to say the least, to consider it possible that epidemic ailments could be transferred through holy communion and endanger human life," the Athens diocese said in a statement.

More than 30 people have been infected by the virus, which targets the heart and respiratory system and on Wednesday Greece closed all educational institutions and placed hospitals on heightened alert as a preventive measure.

Six new cases were reported on Thursday, but the Health Ministry said the incidence of new cases was receding.

"If the rate of reporting of new cases remains over the next few days at the same levels, then we can talk about a decline," the ministry said in a statement.

Flu-like symptoms

Health officials said that the buildings will remain shut for the rest of the week to stem the possible stem of the virus. The Easter holidays begin next week.

The virus has called general unease despite doctors' calls for calm

People have also been warned to stay away from crowds, and pay particular attention to hygiene.

Ministry officials say they are hoping tests will provide conclusive results about the identity of the virus.

Symptoms include aching muscles, high temperatures and difficulty breathing.

The three victims who died of the virus were all women. Two of them came from the island of Crete, and one from the northern Greek town of Ioannina.

Several of Greece's neighbours - Serbia, Macedonia and Cyprus - have banned all school trips to Greece as a preventive measure.

Unease

The "virus" story has been dominating all the Greek newspapers, radio and television, adding to general unease among the population.

Two leading footballers complaining of flu-like symptoms were rushed out of training because of suspicions that they might have got the virus.

Some reports suggested that taking holy communion - the symbolic partaking of Christ's blood which involves sipping a diluted wine from the same spoon - could further spread the virus.

On the other hand, the Greek cup final on Sunday is sold out, and correspondents say fears of the virus will not stop the stadium filling up with some 70,000 people.