Strange "rodent-fever" claims two lives in Ghana

 　　ACCRA, Dec. 19 (Xinhua) -- A strange disease has hit inhabitants of the Amansie West District in the Ashanti Region of Ghana, near Kumasi, 270 km north of the capital, claiming two lives, health officials said here on Monday.

　　Director of Public Health Dr. Joseph Amankwa told Xinhua that the disease, which had been identified as Laffa viral hemorrhagic fever, and had symptoms similar to those of malaria¹, caused victims to bleed to death.

　　Dr. Amankwa said he received information about the infection over the weekend but indicated that no other details were made available.

　　"We are sending a team to the affected² area to verify what the actual situation is to determine our next action. We are also liaising with the World Health Organization to gather enough data on the infections and soon information will be sent out to the public," he said.

　　According to reports carried by local Joy fm radio station, the disease was the first of its kind in the country.

　　The reports quoted health officials as saying infection was passed on from infected rodents³ like mice and rats and was highly contagious⁴.

　　"About two months ago, a young man of 19 years came to our health center here and complained of malaria, so we treated him for malaria but suddenly, blood started coming from the nose, mouth, anus and the ears, and immediately he died," Municipal⁵ Director of Health in the Amansie West District, Dominic Brobbey told the radio station.

　　He warned that although the situation was under control, there were no drugs to treat the disease in Ghana, and therefore urged government to expedite action to acquire the necessary drugs to prevent further deaths.

1 malaria   

n.疟疾

参考例句：

• He had frequent attacks of malaria.他常患疟疾。
• Malaria is a kind of serious malady.疟疾是一种严重的疾病。

2 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。

3 rodents   

n.啮齿目动物( rodent的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Rodents carry diseases and are generally regarded as pests. 啮齿目动物传播疾病，常被当作害虫对待。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some wild rodents in Africa also harbor the virus. 在非洲，有些野生啮齿动物也是储毒者。 来自辞典例句

4 contagious   

adj.传染性的，有感染力的

参考例句：

• It's a highly contagious infection.这种病极易传染。
• He's got a contagious laugh.他的笑富有感染力。

5 municipal   

adj.市的，市政的；n.政府证券

参考例句：

• The municipal authorities have kept the roads up well.市政当局把道路保养得不错。
• The city is planning to build a municipal library.该市正计划建一座市立图书馆。