VOA常速英语2019--2019世界疟疾日：零疟疾，从我做起（在线收听）

On April 25th we observe World Malaria Day. It is an occasion to recognize the global effort to effectively control, and eventually wipe out, this terrible disease.

4月25日是世界疟疾日。这一天的设立是为了认可全球范围内对有效控制并最终根除这一可怕疾病所做的努力。

Unfortunately, after years of steady advances in fighting malaria, progress has stalled. According to the World Health Organization, or WHO, the number of malaria cases has not dropped between 2015 and 2017.

不幸的是，虽然多年来在抗击疟疾有稳定的收效，但目前已经毫无进展。根据世界卫生组织（WHO）的数据，2015-2017年，疟疾病例的数量并未减少。

And there are further reasons for concern. In 2017, 70 percent, or about 151 million of the world’s malaria cases, occurred in 11 countries: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania and India. And although India reported a 24 percent decrease in malaria cases from 2016 to 2017, the WHO says that the ten sub-Saharan countries reported an increase of as many as 3.5 million cases.

引发担忧的还有其他原因。2017年，70%，即近1.51亿疟疾病例在11个国家出现：布基纳法索、喀麦隆、刚果、加纳、马里、莫桑比克、尼日尔、尼日利亚、乌干达、坦桑尼亚、印度。而且，虽然印度报道称2016-2017年疟疾病例数量有24%的减少，但WHO依然表示，10个撒哈拉沙漠以南的国家所报道的疟疾病例增长数量多达350万。

Obviously, we must change what we have been doing. And that change will only occur if four key elements are met, notes the WHO.

显然，我们做出改变。这种改变发生的必要条件是以下4个因素满足，这是WHO的观点。

First, there must be the political will to reduce malaria deaths. This means that governments must make the decision to dedicate enough resources to effectively tackle the disease at home.

首先，必须有政治意愿来减少疟疾所造成的死亡病例。也就是说，各国政府必须作出决定，倾尽足够的资源来有效应对本国的疟疾病情。

Second, individual countries must step away from the one-size-fits-all model. Through better analysis and the strategic use of data, countries can pinpoint how and where to best use effective malaria control.

其二，某些国家必须停止一刀切的模式。通过加强分析和战略应用数据的能力，一些国家就可以确定以何种方式、在何种条件下可以将疟疾疫情控制的效率最大化。

Third, best practices, policies and strategies must be shared and employed. The World Health Organization promises to draw on the best evidence to establish global guidance that can be adapted by high burden countries for a range of local settings.

其三，最好的实践方式、政策、策略必须得到分享和利用。WHO承诺借鉴最好的证据来建立全球引导机制，这种机制在疫情负担重的国家可以因地制宜。

And finally, national responses to the disease must be well coordinated. Health sector response must be complemented in other sectors, such as environment, education and agriculture.

最后，各国对疟疾的响应必须通力协调。卫生部的响应必须得到其他部门的配合，比如环境部、教育部和农业部。

That is why this year’s World Malaria Day theme is Zero malaria starts with me. It is a grassroots campaign that aims to keep malaria high on the political agenda, mobilize more resources, and deeper participation in malaria prevention and care at the community level.

因此，今年世界疟疾日的主题是“零疟疾，从我做起”。这是一项草根运动，旨在将抗击疟疾一事持续成为政治方面的议题、动用更多资源、让公众更深入地进行社群层面的疟疾预防和关怀。

Since 2000, the world has made historic progress against malaria, saving millions of lives. However, half the world still lives at risk from this preventable, treatable disease, one that not only kills and sickens millions, but also remains both a major cause and a consequence of global poverty.

自2000年开始，全球在抗击疟疾方面取得了历史性进展，拯救了无数生命。不过，世界上还有一半的地方依然处于危险之中，可能受到这种疾病的感染，但疟疾本来是可以预防、可以治疗的。疟疾不仅会让无数人生病甚至死亡，还是导致全球范围内贫困的一个重要原因。

With renewed focus and commitment, we can be the generation to end one of the oldest and deadliest diseases in human history.

有了持续的关注和努力之后，我们这一代可以终结人类历史上存在时间最长、最为致命的一种疾病。