VOA常速英语2016--美国应对寨卡病毒面临卫生机构资金不充足窘境（在线收听）

美国应对寨卡病毒面临卫生机构资金不充足窘境

Public health experts say Zika shouldn't be a major concern for the US, because of widespread use of air conditioning. But there's still an uneasy feeling in southern coastal areas like Houston, Texas.

公共卫生专家表示在空调系统广泛使用的美国寨卡病毒不会成为大问题。但在德克萨斯休斯顿这样的南部沿海城市，依旧弥漫着不安情绪。

“Obviously we are very concerned since we know what's happened in Brazil and in Latin America.”

“自从得知巴西和拉丁美洲国家发生的事情以来，我们显然非常担心。”

In a skype interview, Dr.James Versalovic said mosquitoes that can carry the Zika virus live in coastal communities and their population will ramp up starting in April. Versalovic said these states need the same type of help as Latin American and Caribbean countries.

在接受Skype的采访时，詹姆斯·维萨洛维奇博士表示携带寨卡病毒的蚊子在沿海城市能够存活下来，而且其数量将在4月份急剧上升。维萨洛维奇博士表示这些地方需要接受拉丁美洲及加勒比海国家一样的援助。

Help controlling the mosquitoes, help testing both mosquitoes and people who may be infected with the Zika virus and help in getting rid of debris like old tires and standing water. The question,how much help can the centers for disease control, the nation's public health agency and state agencies provide? There is no question the need is urgent.

为了抑制蚊子数量，就要对蚊子及可能感染病毒的人群进行检测，而且需要处理如旧轮胎及死水等滋生蚊子的环境。而问题在于，疾病控制中心、国家公共卫生机构及州公共卫生机构能提供多少帮助？毋庸置疑急需这样的援助。

“There's enough evidence now to state clearly that the Zika virus is definitely associated with microcephaly,not only small heads but underdeveloped brains, and unfortunately, those babies are dealing with a lifetime of disability.”

“现在有大量证据能够清楚的表明寨卡病毒绝对同小头畸型症存在联系，感染病毒的婴儿出生后不仅是头小，而且会发育不良，而且很不幸的是这样的症状将伴随终生。”

The Obama administration asked for nearly two billion dollars in special funding in February. But congress has not yet approved it and state agencies have limited funds.

2月份奥巴马政府要求近20亿美元的专项资金提供援助。但国会目前还未通过，而且各州机构资金也有限。

“Keep in mind that after the 08-09 recession here in the United States, the crash in the recession it was experienced fully 25 percent of American public health personnel at the state and local level were laid off,their budgets were slashed and they lost their positions, and those have not, those positions have not been renewed. We're operating from a depleted capacity.”

“要记住，2008-09年经历经济衰退后，美国各州及地方的公共卫生人员裁员25%，这些人员的预算大幅削减，人们丢掉了工作，而那些职位至今还没有恢复。我们现在人手严重不足。”

But the money has to come from somewhere because mosquito control is expensive. Testing must be in place and public education campaigns like those in Latin America need to begin to protect pregnant women and their unborn children.

但因为控制蚊子数量造价高昂，这笔资金肯定会通过某种途径获得。检测工作必须到位，而且还需要开展在拉美国家进行的公众宣传保护孕妇及其未出生的孩子。