HEALTH REPORT - Cases of 'Katrina Cough' Reported in Cities

HEALTH REPORT - Cases of 'Katrina Cough' Reported in Cities Hit by Storm
By Cynthia Kirk

Broadcast: Wednesday, November 23, 2005

I'm Steve Ember with the VOA Special English Health Report.

Recovery efforts continue in the southern American states hit by Hurricane Katrina in August. But health officials are investigating reports of what is being called "Katrina cough." It is believed to be caused by reactions to the mold and dust left after the storm. The effects are said to be similar to those of a cold, but with a dry cough that will not go away.

 
Health problems now affect New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina flooded much of the city
Health officials say they do not yet know how widespread the problem is. But since Katrina, doctors in the hardest-hit areas say they have seen a twenty-five percent increase in some kinds of problems. These include sinus headaches, runny noses and sore throats.

The city of New Orleans, in Louisiana, appears to have the most cases. It had the worst damage from Katrina. More than one thousand people died in Louisiana. Officials say the biggest public health concern there now is mold.

Mold is a fungus¹. It is everywhere in nature. Mold can grow almost anywhere, indoors or outdoors. It grows best in warm, wet environments. New Orleans has higher-than-normal levels of mold because of its climate. But homes that flooded in the storm are now covered in mold.

Mold can be a health risk especially for people with conditions such as asthma², allergies³ or weakened immune systems. Mold spreads and reproduces by making spores⁴. It can affect people who breathe it, swallow it or get it on their skin. Some molds can cause skin disorders⁵ or lung infections.

Public health officials have advised people to wear gloves and face coverings if they decide to return to their homes in New Orleans. But some officials have urged people with conditions such as asthma or weakened defenses not to return to the city.

Government officials have said repeatedly that the air quality in areas affected⁶ by Katrina is safe. Some people, however, say there has not been enough testing for levels of mold carried in the air.

Officials from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are studying the issue. They are working with state health officials in Louisiana and Mississippi to see how widespread the so-called Katrina cough is. The agency says it is observing health care centers to learn if there is an unusual increase in sick people.

This VOA Special English Health Report was written by Cynthia Kirk.  I'm Steve Ember.

1 fungus   

n.真菌，真菌类植物

参考例句：

• Mushrooms are a type of fungus.蘑菇是一种真菌。
• This fungus can just be detected by the unaided eye.这种真菌只用肉眼就能检查出。

2 asthma   

n.气喘病，哮喘病

参考例句：

• I think he's having an asthma attack.我想他现在是哮喘病发作了。
• Its presence in allergic asthma is well known.它在过敏性气喘中的存在是大家很熟悉的。

3 allergies   

n.[医]过敏症；[口]厌恶，反感；（对食物、花粉、虫咬等的）过敏症( allergy的名词复数 )；变态反应，变应性

参考例句：

• Food allergies can result in an enormous variety of different symptoms. 食物过敏会引发很多不同的症状。 来自辞典例句
• Let us, however, examine one of the most common allergies; hayfever. 现在让我们来看看最常见的变态反应的一种--枯草热。 来自辞典例句

4 spores   

n.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的名词复数 )v.（细菌、苔藓、蕨类植物）孢子( spore的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Ferns, mosses and fungi spread by means of spores. 蕨类植物、苔藓和真菌通过孢子传播蔓生。
• Spores form a lipid membrane during the process of reproducing. 孢于在生殖过程中形成类脂膜。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 预防生物武器

5 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》

6 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。