VOA慢速英语2014--美国医务人员在利比里亚感染埃博拉病毒

 

AS IT IS 2014-07-30 US Medical Workers in Liberia Infected with Ebola 美国医务人员在利比里亚感染埃博拉病毒

An aid group reported this week that Ebola has infected a second American medical worker in Liberia.  The American-based group, Samaritan’s Purse, has medical experts working in the country. 

Samaritan’s Purse announced Sunday that Nancy Writebol is in stable, but serious condition at a hospital in Monrovia, the Liberian capital.  She was helping¹ with Ebola patients at the Case Management Center when she became infected.   

The aid group reported last Saturday that the virus also infected American doctor Kent Brantly.  He is the medical director at the Case Management Center.  He was taken to an isolation² center for treatment.  Such centers are used to keep the public away from patients suffering from infectious diseases.

Melissa Strickland works for Samaritan’s Purse.  She says the doctor is receiving treatment, but is not “out of the woods,” meaning he is not out of danger. 

“We are hopeful for his recovery.  But Ebola is an incredibly dangerous, deadly disease so it is very premature³ to say he is out of the woods.

The news of the two Americans testing positive for Ebola follows the death of Samuel Brisbane.  Dr. Brisbane worked at Liberia's largest hospital.  He was treating Ebola victims when he contracted the virus.  He died recently at a treatment center near Monrovia.

Melissa Strickland says there are a number of reasons why the virus is difficult to contain.  She says that many areas affected⁴ by Ebola lack developed infrastructure⁵, meaning good roads and other public services. 

Ms. Strickland says that “superstition⁶,” “stigma⁷” and misinformation are adding difficulties to an already dangerous situation.  A “superstition” is a belief based on fear of the unknown.  And “stigma” is a poor opinion of someone based on their beliefs or, in this case, their having a disease.

“You are dealing⁸ with countries that are in the developing world.  You do not see infrastructure that you would see here in the United States.  And the population … there is a lot of superstition, a lot stigma associated with the disease, a lot of misinformation associated with the disease.”                                                         

Melissa Strickland says Samaritan’s Purse is treating people infected with Ebola.  But at the same time, the group and other organizations are seeking to educate communities about the disease. 

“So along with our direct clinical care, the treatment of Ebola patients themselves, we and other organizations have undertaken significant public awareness⁹ campaigns to reach communities, educate them, both on recognizing symptoms early and on the prevention of the disease.  We have a tremendous battle on our hands.”

And Ms. Strickland is appealing for help in what she calls a battle against Ebola.

“What we need is a significant, international effort to battle this disease.  We welcome other NGOs and other agencies who will come along side us in this fight.”

1 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

2 isolation   

n.隔离，孤立，分解，分离

参考例句：

• The millionaire lived in complete isolation from the outside world.这位富翁过着与世隔绝的生活。
• He retired and lived in relative isolation.他退休后，生活比较孤寂。

3 premature   

adj.比预期时间早的；不成熟的，仓促的

参考例句：

• It is yet premature to predict the possible outcome of the dialogue.预言这次对话可能有什么结果为时尚早。
• The premature baby is doing well.那个早产的婴儿很健康。

4 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。

5 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

6 superstition   

n.迷信，迷信行为

参考例句：

• It's a common superstition that black cats are unlucky.认为黑猫不吉祥是一种很普遍的迷信。
• Superstition results from ignorance.迷信产生于无知。

7 stigma   

n.耻辱，污名；(花的)柱头

参考例句：

• Being an unmarried mother used to carry a social stigma.做未婚母亲在社会上曾是不光彩的事。
• The stigma of losing weighed heavily on the team.失败的耻辱让整个队伍压力沉重。

8 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

9 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。