英闻天下——494 No H7N9 Epidemic among Poultry: Expert

 　　Chinese veterinary experts say the outbreak of the H7N9 bird flu virus has not triggered an epidemic¹ among poultry².

 

　　The virus has been detected in chickens, pigeons and environmental samples in poultry markets in Shanghai.

 

　　Researchers have yet to make the connection among the strains of the virus being detected in the poultry and the strains that are infecting humans.

 

　　Chinese Agriculture Minister Han Changbin:

 

　　"The governments at all levels have been urged to release daily updates on the local H7N9 bird flu cases so that we can take samples and carry out laboratory analysis. Now, the public is paying high attention to H7N9 infections. I believe that it's still possible for us to bring the H7N9 bird flu situation under control if cases are treated in time."

 

　　So far, there are 24 confirmed cases of H7N9 infections, including 8 fatalities³.

 

　　Meanwhile, China's chief veterinarian has issued a new statement, saying it's still safe to eat poultry purchased from regular channels, such as supermarkets, as long as it is thoroughly⁴ cooked.

 

　　The possibility of infections among birds in other regions has not been ruled out.

 

　　As such, the Agriculture ministry⁵ has ordered epidemic monitoring for animals across the country.

1 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

2 poultry   

n.家禽，禽肉

参考例句：

• There is not much poultry in the shops. 商店里禽肉不太多。
• What do you feed the poultry on? 你们用什么饲料喂养家禽?

3 fatalities   

n.恶性事故( fatality的名词复数 )；死亡；致命性；命运

参考例句：

• Several people were injured, but there were no fatalities. 有几个人受伤，但没有人死亡。
• The accident resulted in fatalities. 那宗意外道致多人死亡。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

5 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。