A YORK woman was among holidaymakers struck down by a debilitating virus which raged through a hotel on the holiday island of Cyprus.

City of York councillor Liz Edge spent eight days of her two-week holiday in hospital as doctors battled to contain her spiralling blood pressure and control her sickness.

She is convinced that she is among those who suffered a mysterious and deadly virus sweeping Greece that has killed three people and left about 40 needing hospital treatment.

She is warning people who may have existing health conditions to think carefully before travelling to the area.

Thousands of Britons have already cancelled holidays in Greece due to fears over the virus, which causes flu-like symptoms and heart inflammation.

Schools, universities and sports halls across Greece were closed down for three days.

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

Two women on the island of Crete and another in the northern town of Ioannia are thought to have died from the virus.

Mrs Edge, 64, of Parkside Close, Holgate, was staying near Limassol in Cyprus when waiters, reception staff and guests were struck down.

She said: "I had been on my holiday for six days when I felt hot and as if I was going to keel over.

"I went to get some fresh air when I was violently sick and just collapsed.

"They sent for an ambulance and then I was in hospital on a drip and they were doing innumerable tests.

"I was in hospital for three days and then went back to the hotel, but I felt ill immediately.

"I thought 'stop being silly and stop making a fuss', but I knew it was something more than something I had eaten. They were going down like flies in my hotel, including staff.

"I'm in my 60s, but I'm reasonably healthy. I never have high blood pressure and I'm not on any medication, but this illness absolutely pole-axed me.

"My blood pressure shot through the roof, so anyone with a heart condition should be very careful.

"I don't want to put people off Greece, because the people were unbelievable. I couldn't speak too highly of the medical care that I got there."

The Foreign Office is warning travellers to Greece about the virus and recommending increased personal hygiene.

Cyprus has not yet been included in this advice, but a spokeswoman said the situation was being constantly updated.

Mrs Edge returned home on Wednesday night and is making a good recovery.

Updated: 11:08 Friday, April 26, 2002