AGRICULTURE REPORT - Bird Flu in Hong Kong

AGRICULTURE REPORT
–
February 19, 2002: Bird Flu in Hong Kong

By George Grow

This is the VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT.

Health workers in Hong Kong are attempting to halt the spread of a virus that attacks chickens. They are moving
quickly before it can develop into a virus like one that killed six people in Nineteen-Ninety-Seven.

Health workers have already destroyed more than one-hundred-fifty-thousand
chickens in Hong Kong. They also have increased inspections² of markets and farms
where chickens are raised.

This is the third time in five years that the bird flu virus has affected³ Hong Kong.
Officials are now considering what additional steps they need to take. Some critics
blame the problem on poor conditions at chicken farms. They say these include

overcrowding, unclean conditions and lack of fresh air.

Influenza⁴ is usually called the flu. It causes higher than normal body temperatures. People with the flu also may
suffer muscle pain, breathing problems and weakness.Flu is not usually serious. Most people will feel fine after a
week of two. But the flu can have serious effects. And, it can kill. It is a special threat to very young or very old
people, and those with a weak defense⁵ system against disease.

Bird flu usually does not affect people. However, sometimes the flu virus changes. Five years ago, six people in
Hong Kong died when they became infected with a flu virus found in chickens. Health officials then ordered the
killing⁶ of all chickens, ducks and geese in Hong Kong.

Last May, a similar virus infected thousands of Hong Kong’s chickens. Officials ordered the killing of more
than one-million -three-hundred-thousand birds. That virus was not a threat to humans.

Hong Kong has almost seven-million people. Chicken is a popular food. People there eat about one-hundredthousand
chickens every day. Traditionally, many people buy their chickens live from street markets and bring
them home freshly killed. Hong Kong markets are still selling chickens. But sales have dropped sharply.

Ken¹ Shortridge is a biologist at the University of Hong Kong. He is one of the scientists studying the bird flu
virus. Mister Shortridge says the virus is not an immediate⁷ threat to people. However, the virus is changing
quickly. He says it could change into a virus that kills people.

This VOA Special English AGRICULTURE REPORT was written by George Grow.

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1 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

2 inspections   

n.检查( inspection的名词复数 )；检验；视察；检阅

参考例句：

• Regular inspections are carried out at the prison. 经常有人来视察这座监狱。
• Government inspections ensure a high degree of uniformity in the standard of service. 政府检查确保了在服务标准方面的高度一致。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

4 influenza   

n.流行性感冒，流感

参考例句：

• They took steps to prevent the spread of influenza.他们采取措施
• Influenza is an infectious disease.流感是一种传染病。

5 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

6 killing   

n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财

参考例句：

• Investors are set to make a killing from the sell-off.投资者准备清仓以便大赚一笔。
• Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street.上个周我兄弟在华尔街赚了一大笔。

7 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。