VOA标准英语2010年-Polio Spreads in Central Africa

The World Health Organization said polio is spreading in Angola and has crossed into neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo, creating an international threat.

A vaccine¹ for polio was discovered more than 50 years ago, but according to data released by the health group on Wednesday, the disease is gaining a foothold in central Africa.

In Angola, an outbreak that began in 2007 has this year spread to re-infect areas that had been cleared of the disease.  It also has spread into a bordering province of the DRC.

Oliver Rosenbauer - a spokesperson for the organization's Polio Eradication² Initiative - said, "At the moment it's the only expanding outbreak of polio in Africa so to us it's very concerning."

The situation in Angola and DRC comes as a disappointment, Rosenbauer said, in light of the progress made elsewhere in Africa.

Nigeria has seen a 99 percent reduction in polio cases this year, compared to the same period in 2009.

There have been no cases in West Africa since May and in the Horn of Africa it's been more than 12 months since a case has emerged.

Rosenbauer stressed that vaccination³ has to be comprehensive. 

"They've done a number of immunization campaigns in Angola which, in most countries, these immunizations campaigns rapidly stop outbreaks. But they're not reaching sufficient number of children with their immunization activities," he said.

Rosenbauer said polio in one place creates a global threat and children are most at risk.  Polio is a highly contagious⁴ disease that invades the nervous system and can cause complete paralysis⁵ within hours.

"It seems to be able to find any unimmunized child.  And remember, polio is a very dangerous disease that - there's no cure for it - once you have it, you have it for life so the only means to protect yourself is by vaccination," said Rosenbauer.

Rosenbauer said an immunization campaign will take place in Angola and DRC this month.

 

1 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。

2 eradication   

n.根除

参考例句：

• The eradication of an established infestation is not easy. 根除昆虫蔓延是不容易的。
• This is often required for intelligent control and eradication. 这经常需要灵巧的控制与消除。

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 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 paralysis   

n.麻痹(症)；瘫痪(症)

参考例句：

• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。
• The paralysis affects his right leg and he can only walk with difficulty.他右腿瘫痪步履维艰。