Unknown virus affected Greece

Already three people have died. The disease started to spread on April 18. The day before yesterday, 13 new cases were registered, while the total number of victims now already makes 32 persons. The situation is becoming dangerous.

Since yesterday and up to the end of this week, all educational institutions have been closed in the country: colleges, schools, and kindergartens. Afterwards, the two-week Easter holidays start in Greece, so the quarantine will last for some time.

According to the statement of Greek Health Ministry, hospitals are prepared for actions. “Despite the fact that most of the disease’s victims are adults, measures have been taken to limit spreading the disease.”

According to RBN, tourists are refusing already planned trips to Greece. Greek citizens were asked to keep quiet and refrain from participation in mass meetings in closed rooms and to pay more attention to their personal hygiene.

The health minister says that the situation is under control and there is no epidemic in the country.

The disease has the same symptoms as the flu, though it also affects heart and causes myocarditis. As a result, people die of heart weakness. However,before this, they have a fever, joint aches, and difficulty in breathing. According to some doctors, the disease is similar to the Coxsackie virus. According to Medlinks.Ru, the Coxsackie virus causes only a weak indisposition in adults, while, in infants, it might cause serious problems with breathing, inflammation of heart membranes, or meningitis, especially if it is a foetus infection.

However, a Coxsackie infection is dangerous only for infants, while, in Greece, mostly adults have been infected. Therefore, at the moment, nobody can say for sure what the infection is. Sergei Yugov PRAVDA.Ru

Translated by Vera Solovieva

Read the original in Russian: http://www.pravda.ru/main/2002/04/24/40250.html