VOA标准英语2009-US Officials 'Cautiously Optimistic' About Swine

U.S. authorities report that the number of confirmed swine flu cases in the United States has reached 286 across 36 states. But the Obama administration says it is cautiously optimistic that the outbreak of swine influenza¹ A H1N1 virus will be mild - at least for now.

The countries hardest-hit by swine flu - Mexico and the United States - are reporting some encouraging signs after weeks of fear that grew more intense each day. Mexican officials say the number of people contracting the virus has leveled off, and that schools and other public places will reopen next week.

Although the virus continues to spread across the United States, the extent of the outbreak remains³ limited and most flu sufferers report relatively⁴ mild symptoms.
　
Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, 04 May 2009

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano gave a "cautiously optimistic" outlook.

"We have started to see encouraging signs that this virus may be mild, and its spread may be limited," said Janet Napolitano.

At the same time, no one is declaring victory over swine flu. The Acting² Director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Richard Besser, said it was too early to say that the situation is under control.

Secretary Napolitano added that vigilance and concerted efforts to contain the disease must continue. She said that even if the current outbreak fades, the world may not have seen the last of the new influenza strain.

"H1N1 flu could die down soon and return later again this fall when the [northern hemisphere] flu season enters back in full swing," she said.

U.S. health officials say research is going forward that will allow development of a swine flu vaccine⁵. But they add that no decision has been made on mass-inoculations in the United States.

At a White House social gathering⁶ on the eve of Mexico's independence day, President Barack Obama paid tribute to U.S.-Mexico cooperation in battling swine flu.

"Good neighbors work together when faced with common challenges," he said. "And that is why we are working closely with the Mexican government to identify and treat illnesses that are caused by this new flu strain. I spoke⁷ with [Mexican] President [Felipe] Calderon Saturday about this new approach."

Mexico's ambassador to the United States, Arturo Sarukhan, echoed that sentiment, saying the swine flu outbreak has again demonstrated how a productive U.S.-Mexican relationship is vital to both nations.

Swine flu cases have been reported in more than 20 nations, including Colombia - the first South American nation to see an H1N1 infection. Health officials note that, while the regular flu season has come to an end in the northern hemisphere, it is just beginning south of the equator.

1 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。

2 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。

3 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

4 relatively   

adv.比较...地，相对地

参考例句：

• The rabbit is a relatively recent introduction in Australia.兔子是相对较新引入澳大利亚的物种。
• The operation was relatively painless.手术相对来说不痛。

5 vaccine   

n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的

参考例句：

• The polio vaccine has saved millions of lives.脊髓灰质炎疫苗挽救了数以百万计的生命。
• She takes a vaccine against influenza every fall.她每年秋季接种流感疫苗。

6 gathering   

n.集会，聚会，聚集

参考例句：

• He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
• He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。

7 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。