VOA标准英语2009-WHO Raises Swine Flu Alert to Highest Level

The World Health Organization declared swine flu as the first international pandemic of the century on Thursday and urged nations to step up the fight against the virus.
　
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan speaks during a press conference at WHO headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, 11 Jun 2009

The World Health Organization's Director-General Margaret Chan announced that the organization decided¹ to raise its alert against the swine influenza² A-H1N1 virus to Phase 6 - the highest level - following a meeting of health experts in Geneva. This is the first time a pandemic has been declared since 1968.

The announcement, Chan said, means that countries must keep a close watch on the virus. She called the situation a moderate pandemic.

"Calling a pandemic is also a signal to the international community," said Chan. "This is a time when the world's countries - rich or poor, big or small - must come together in the name of global solidarity³ to make sure that no countries because of poor resources, no country's people should be left behind without help."

The World Health Organization says that, so far, 74 countries have reported nearly 30,000 cases of flu, with 144 deaths.

The WHO is urging drug makers⁴ to speed up the manufacture of a swine flu vaccine⁵. But Chan said it is also important that drug makers keep their timetable to finish producing this year's seasonal⁶ flu virus vaccine. Normal influenza usually kills about a half a million people each year.

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 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。

3 solidarity   

n.团结；休戚相关

参考例句：

• They must preserve their solidarity.他们必须维护他们的团结。
• The solidarity among China's various nationalities is as firm as a rock.中国各族人民之间的团结坚如磐石。

4 makers   

n.制造者，制造商（maker的复数形式）

参考例句：

• The makers of the product assured us that there had been no sacrifice of quality. 这一产品的制造商向我们保证说他们没有牺牲质量。
• The makers are about to launch out a new product. 制造商们马上要生产一种新产品。 来自《简明英汉词典》

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 seasonal   

adj.季节的，季节性的

参考例句：

• The town relies on the seasonal tourist industry for jobs.这个城镇依靠季节性旅游业提供就业机会。
• The hors d'oeuvre is seasonal vegetables.餐前小吃是应时蔬菜。