HEALTH REPORT - Update on Tsunami Survivors: Mental Health a

HEALTH REPORT - Update on Tsunami¹ Survivors²: Mental Health a Big Concern
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Wednesday, February 16, 2005

I'm Gwen Outen with the VOA Special English Health Report.

Many health officials warned about the possible spread of diseases after the tsunami waves in the Indian Ocean in December. So far, the World Health Organization reports no major outbreaks of disease in the countries affected³.

W.H.O. officials say international efforts to provide clean water have helped limit the spread of infections. So have shipments of medicine and mosquito-control supplies.

But the W.H.O. says people are still at great risk of diseases such as cholera⁴, malaria⁵ and dengue fever. The agency noted⁶ earlier this month that the dengue season is just beginning.

Dengue fever and malaria are spread by the bite of mosquitoes. Cholera is an intestinal⁷ infection spread through water polluted with bacteria.

Another big concern involves the emotional condition of tsunami survivors. Experts say stress-related disorders⁸ such as fear or depression can continue for several years if people do not get help.

Last month, Indonesia launched a mental health campaign to assist survivors. A Health Ministry⁹ official told Reuters news agency that six hundred fifty thousand refugees need help. If not, he said an estimated twenty to fifty percent could develop what he called "serious mental problems."

The Indonesian official said the campaign would depend mostly on simple communication to help people deal with their situations. Experts note that many Asians reject Western forms of treatment, such as the use of anti-depression drugs.

Some efforts to help tsunami survivors involve religion. In Thailand, the Associated Press reported that specially¹⁰ trained Buddhist¹¹ monks¹² have been talking to survivors.

A Thai Health Ministry official said some people cannot sleep or look at the sea. Others cannot take their mind off waiting for the return of a missing loved one.

The Associated Press said Thailand has sent hundreds of mental health experts to the affected areas. And an international group of experts met in Bangkok this month to discuss how to help people in all the affected countries.

On December twenty-sixth, a powerful earthquake sent waves across southern Asia and eastern Africa. At least one hundred sixty thousand people in eleven countries were killed. Many more lost their homes. Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand suffered the most damage.

This VOA Special English Health Report was written by Cynthia Kirk. I'm Gwen Outen.

1 tsunami   

n.海啸

参考例句：

• Powerful quake sparks tsunami warning in Japan.大地震触发了日本的海啸预警。
• Coastlines all around the Indian Ocean inundated by a huge tsunami.大海啸把印度洋沿岸地区都淹没了。

2 survivors   

幸存者，残存者，生还者( survivor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The survivors were adrift in a lifeboat for six days. 幸存者在救生艇上漂流了六天。
• survivors clinging to a raft 紧紧抓住救生筏的幸存者

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 cholera   

n.霍乱

参考例句：

• The cholera outbreak has been contained.霍乱的发生已被控制住了。
• Cholera spread like wildfire through the camps.霍乱在营地里迅速传播。

5 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句

8 disorders   

n.混乱( disorder的名词复数 )；凌乱；骚乱；（身心、机能）失调

参考例句：

• Reports of anorexia and other eating disorders are on the increase. 据报告，厌食症和其他饮食方面的功能紊乱发生率正在不断增长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The announcement led to violent civil disorders. 这项宣布引起剧烈的骚乱。 来自《简明英汉词典》

9 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。

10 specially   

adv.特定地；特殊地；明确地

参考例句：

• They are specially packaged so that they stack easily.它们经过特别包装以便于堆放。
• The machine was designed specially for demolishing old buildings.这种机器是专为拆毁旧楼房而设计的。

11 Buddhist   

adj./n.佛教的，佛教徒

参考例句：

• The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
• In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里，人世上一切事情都是空的。

12 monks   

n.修道士，僧侣( monk的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
• He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》