VOA标准英语2012--Stampedes, Heat Pose Biggest Threats in Crowds

Stampedes, Heat Pose Biggest Threats in Crowds

When vast numbers of people gather for political or sporting events, or for concerts or pilgrimages, not everyone goes home healthy. But a new analysis finds that infectious disease is not the biggest culprit.
It may be a papal mass or the Hajj in Mecca, the World Cup, a rock festival, or a campaign rally. Mass gatherings¹ like these often attract hundreds of thousands, even millions of people.
Traditionally, doctors and health authorities were concerned about the risk of infectious disease, like influenza², spreading through these large crowds.
That's still a concern, but no longer the biggest fear, says Robert Steffen of the University of Zurich. "The risk has actually been dominated by sprains³ or lacerations, or the mortality risk due to stampedes and heat exhaustion⁴ in periods of extreme heat."
Steffen is the lead author of one of several articles in The Lancet Infectious Diseases about health issues surrounding mass gatherings.
He says some age groups are at particular risk: children are more vulnerable in stampedes, for example, and older people can be at higher risk when temperatures soar.
"At the Hajj, it's particularly senior adults who attend, and so they have great risk of suffering of heat stroke and of dying," Steffen says.
Stampedes and crushings at mass gatherings have claimed 7,000 lives over the past three decades. Panic often plays a role, as does the physical layout of the facility, such as narrow passages or other choke points. The mood of the crowd can also be a factor.
"If suddenly they get agitated⁵, for instance, fireworks being launched within the football stadium, then they get very much afraid and try to escape."
Steffen says organizers need to avoid creating conditions that might lead to panic, stampedes, and heat stroke, as well as minor⁶ injuries such as cuts and sprains. And they have to be ready to provide medical assistance.
For those attending large gatherings, Steffen suggests steering⁷ away from any large mass of people as much as possible, and getting the necessary vaccinations⁸ before traveling. And he says people should be careful with alcohol and drugs, which can increase the risk of physical injuries.

1 gatherings   

聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集

参考例句：

• His conduct at social gatherings created a lot of comment. 他在社交聚会上的表现引起许多闲话。
• During one of these gatherings a pupil caught stealing. 有一次，其中一名弟子偷窃被抓住。

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 sprains   

扭伤( sprain的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Bruises, sprains, muscular pain, muscular fatigue, lumbago, stiff shoulders, backache. 跌打扭伤，肌肉疼痛，肌肉疲劳，腰痛，肩肌僵直，背痛。
• For recent injuries such as sprains and headaches, cold compresses are recommended. 对最近的一些伤病，例如扭伤和头痛，建议进行冷敷。

4 exhaustion   

n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述

参考例句：

• She slept the sleep of exhaustion.她因疲劳而酣睡。
• His exhaustion was obvious when he fell asleep standing.他站着睡着了，显然是太累了。

5 agitated   

adj.被鼓动的，不安的

参考例句：

• His answers were all mixed up,so agitated was he.他是那样心神不定，回答全乱了。
• She was agitated because her train was an hour late.她乘坐的火车晚点一个小时，她十分焦虑。

6 minor   

adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修

参考例句：

• The young actor was given a minor part in the new play.年轻的男演员在这出新戏里被分派担任一个小角色。
• I gave him a minor share of my wealth.我把小部分财产给了他。

7 steering   

n.操舵装置

参考例句：

• He beat his hands on the steering wheel in frustration. 他沮丧地用手打了几下方向盘。
• Steering according to the wind, he also framed his words more amicably. 他真会看风使舵，口吻也马上变得温和了。

8 vaccinations   

n.种痘，接种( vaccination的名词复数 )；牛痘疤

参考例句：

• Vaccinations ensure one against diseases. 接种疫苗可以预防疾病。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• I read some publicity about vaccinations while waiting my turn at the doctor's. 在医生那儿候诊时，我读了一些关于接种疫苗的宣传。 来自《简明英汉词典》