新西兰英语 493 Measles in Auckland

 　　Many Auckland people have had measles¹ in the last four months. The numbers are increasing and the Medical Officer of Health thinks we may have a measles epidemic². So far, in Auckland, doctors know of 164 people who have had measles in the last four months but there are probably many more people who did not go to a doctor. Twenty-four people had to go to hospital but nobody died. It’s been 20 years since anyone died of measles in New Zealand. However, measles can lead to serious illnesses.

　　The only way to make sure you don’t get measles is to be immunised. Children get their MMR vaccination³ when they are 15 months. This protects them against Measles, Mumps⁴ and Rubella. It is free.

　　Symptoms of measles are watery⁵ eyes, runny nose, white spots inside the mouth and, later, a rash which starts on the head and moves down the body. Measles spreads through coughing and sneezing. It takes 10 days or more to develop. It is very infectious.

　　Now there are cases of measles in Christchurch and Wellington, because people who were infectious travelled by plane from Auckland. It is easy to see why the Medical Officer of Health is worried about an epidemic.

　　For more information on measles go to Auckland Regional Public Health Service.

　　Vocabulary

　　Make sure you know these words:

　　epidemic

　　measles, mumps, rubella

　　immunise / immunisation

　　vaccine /vaccination

　　symptoms

　　rash

　　infectious

　　Word Collocations

　　These words go together: protect against; cases of measles; it’s been X years since …; it is easy / hard to see why…;

1 measles   

n.麻疹，风疹，包虫病，痧子

参考例句：

• The doctor is quite definite about Tom having measles.医生十分肯定汤姆得了麻疹。
• The doctor told her to watch out for symptoms of measles.医生叫她注意麻疹出现的症状。

2 epidemic   

n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的

参考例句：

• That kind of epidemic disease has long been stamped out.那种传染病早已绝迹。
• The authorities tried to localise the epidemic.当局试图把流行病限制在局部范围。

3 vaccination   

n.接种疫苗，种痘

参考例句：

• Vaccination is a preventive against smallpox.种痘是预防天花的方法。
• Doctors suggest getting a tetanus vaccination every ten years.医生建议每十年注射一次破伤风疫苗。

4 mumps   

n.腮腺炎

参考例句：

• Sarah got mumps from her brother.萨拉的弟弟患腮腺炎，传染给她了。
• I was told not go near Charles. He is sickening for mumps.别人告诉我不要走近查尔斯， 他染上了流行性腮腺炎。

5 watery   

adj.有水的，水汪汪的；湿的，湿润的

参考例句：

• In his watery eyes there is an expression of distrust.他那含泪的眼睛流露出惊惶失措的神情。
• Her eyes became watery because of the smoke.因为烟熏，她的双眼变得泪汪汪的。