VOA标准英语 WHO, US Declare Swine Flu Emergencies

The World Health Organization is expressing concern about a possible swine flu pandemic as the number of confirmed cases rises in the United States and Mexico - and new cases have been reported in Canada. The Obama administration declared a public health emergency to mobilize federal and state resources to combat the infectious viral illness.
　
WHO Assistant Director-General Keiji Fukuda (file photo)

The World Health Organization has declared swine flu a "public health emergency of international concern". WHO Assistant Director-General Keiji Fukuda spoke¹ with reporters via teleconference from Geneva.

"We have asked all countries to increase their surveillance and their watchfulness² so we can detect as quickly as possible how this virus may or may not be spreading," said Keiji Fukuda.

Fukuda says the swine flu viruses detected in the United States and Mexico appear similar, despite the fact that symptoms reported in Mexico have been far more severe than in the United States. Mexico has recorded dozens of deaths from flu-like disease in recent days, although it is not clear whether swine flu was to blame in all cases.

Fakuda says this particular strain of swine flu could become more or less virulent³ over time.

"Influenza⁴ viruses are very prone⁵ to changing," he said. "They mutate easily. So when viruses evolve, they can become more dangerous for people - that is, to cause more serious disease. Or they are also able to mutate so they cause less serious disease."

Moments after he spoke, U.S. officials declared a public health emergency in response to at least 20 known cases in five states. Officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control say they expect to see more cases with possibly stronger symptoms in the future.
　
Director of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano at the White House, 26 Apr 2009

At a White House briefing, Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said the federal government is mobilizing to confront the health threat, including providing states access to millions of doses of stockpiled anti-viral treatments.

She appealed to the public for help.

"The government cannot solve this alone," said Janet Napolitano. "We need everybody in the United States to take some responsibility. If you are sick, stay home. Wash your hands. Take all of those reasonable measures that will help us militate and contain how many people actually get sick."

The WHO's Kieji Fukuda says, if there is good news, it is that the international community is far better equipped today than in previous years to combat infectious disease in a coordinated⁶ way.

"I believe the world is much, much better prepared than we have ever been for dealing⁷ with this kind of situation," said Fukuda. "In the past five years, countries have worked very hard to assess the threat of avian influenza. They have worked very hard on pandemic preparedness planning, and we have new tools. We have new surveillance. We have stockpiles of anti-viral drugs in case of a pandemic situation."

Those international preparations are being put to the test. Canada became the third country to confirm swine flu cases, with several people suffering mild cases of the illness in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. Other possible cases are under investigation⁸ in France and New Zealand.

1 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

2 watchfulness   

警惕，留心； 警觉（性）

参考例句：

• The escort and the universal watchfulness had completely isolated him. 护送和普遍一致的监视曾经使他完全孤立。
• A due watchfulness on the movements of the enemy was maintained. 他们对敌人的行动还是相当警惕的。

3 virulent   

adj.有毒的，有恶意的，充满敌意的

参考例句：

• She is very virulent about her former employer.她对她过去的老板恨之入骨。
• I stood up for her despite the virulent criticism.尽管她遭到恶毒的批评，我还是维护她。

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 prone   

adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的

参考例句：

• Some people are prone to jump to hasty conclusions.有些人往往作出轻率的结论。
• He is prone to lose his temper when people disagree with him.人家一不同意他的意见,他就发脾气。

6 coordinated   

adj.协调的

参考例句：

• The sound has to be coordinated with the picture. 声音必须和画面协调一致。
• The numerous existing statutes are complicated and poorly coordinated. 目前繁多的法令既十分复杂又缺乏快调。 来自英汉非文学 - 环境法 - 环境法

7 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。

8 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。