2006年VOA标准英语-Nigeria Reports Deadly Bird Flu

By Gilbert Da Costa
Abuja
08 February 2006

Nigeria has confirmed an outbreak of bird flu virus in its poultry¹ stock. Laboratory tests in Nigeria and Italy had established a highly pathogenic strain of the H5N1 bird flu virus.

The Paris-based World Organization for Animal Health says it has received a report from Nigeria confirming the outbreak of bird flu in the north.

Chickens for sale in a Lagos market   
  
Thousands of chickens have been destroyed in the past few days following the outbreak.

The chief consultant² epidemiologist at the Nigerian health ministry³, Dr. Jide Coker, says Nigeria will rely on the international community for support in dealing⁴ with the problem.

"Health authorities and even agricultural experts all over the world are all concerned," Dr. Coker said. "You know if we have a pandemic on our hands, it is not only a Nigerian situation, it is a worldwide epidemic⁵ and as a result we in collaboration⁶ with the world health authorities are getting prepared."

A team of international experts is expected in Nigeria to assess the situation and provide technical advice.

Nigerian authorities say they have introduced measures to control the movement of animals and disinfected the affected⁷ farms. Dr. Coker said infected birds are being killed to stop the spread of the outbreak.

"I got information that some birds were killed. Even before the results are out, you need to take some measures to prevent further spread," the doctor said.

More than 80 people have been killed by the H5N1 strain of bird flu since 2003. An outbreak could have a devastating⁸ effect in Nigeria, Africa's most populous⁹ nation. Millions in Nigeria have chickens in their backyards.

Scientists fear the virus could mutate into a form that passes easily from person to person, sparking a human influenza¹⁰ pandemic.

1 poultry   

n.家禽，禽肉

参考例句：

• There is not much poultry in the shops. 商店里禽肉不太多。
• What do you feed the poultry on? 你们用什么饲料喂养家禽?

2 consultant   

n.顾问；会诊医师，专科医生

参考例句：

• He is a consultant on law affairs to the mayor.他是市长的一个法律顾问。
• Originally,Gar had agreed to come up as a consultant.原来，加尔只答应来充当我们的顾问。

3 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

4 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。

5 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。

6 collaboration   

n.合作，协作；勾结

参考例句：

• The two companies are working in close collaboration each other.这两家公司密切合作。
• He was shot for collaboration with the enemy.他因通敌而被枪毙了。

7 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。

8 devastating   

adj.毁灭性的，令人震惊的，强有力的

参考例句：

• It is the most devastating storm in 20 years.这是20年来破坏性最大的风暴。
• Affairs do have a devastating effect on marriages.婚外情确实会对婚姻造成毁灭性的影响。

9 populous   

adj.人口稠密的，人口众多的

参考例句：

• London is the most populous area of Britain.伦敦是英国人口最稠密的地区。
• China is the most populous developing country in the world.中国是世界上人口最多的发展中国家。

10 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。