VOA标准英语2012--DRC Braces for Worsening Cholera Outbreak

DRC Braces¹ for Worsening Cholera² Outbreak

 

The number of cholera cases this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo could far surpass the total for 2011. Cholera is an acute intestinal³ infection caused by contaminated food or water. U.N. officials are calling for an increase in prevention programs in a country where the disease has become endemic.

U.N. humanitarian⁴ spokesman Yvon Edoumou described the cholera situation in the DRC as bleak⁵.

“In 2011, we had about 22,000 cases of cholera throughout the country. So far, for the first three months of 2012 we have just about 8,000 cases. So we’re looking at already 40 percent of the total caseload that was reported last year. At the current rate that we’re going by the end of 2012 we’ll be well above the caseload for last year,” he said.

The cholera problem is especially bad in the Eastern DRC. South Kivu is the most affected⁶ province with more than 2,200 cases.

“So far the numbers are quite high. Just an example, for the whole of last year in Eastern DRC we had 150 deaths. So far for this year we have 77 deaths. I’m talking about Eastern DRC. So we’re already at the 50 percent of the total number of deaths last year,” he said.

For all of DRC, 120 cholera deaths have been reported from January to March.

Getting a step ahead is difficult

Edoumou is with the U.N. Office for the Coordination⁷ of Humanitarian Affairs or OCHA and is based in the capital Kinshasa. He said it’s difficult to stay ahead of the outbreak.

"Cholera is linked to water and sanitation⁸ and DRC is a country that for many, many years has had a very dysfunctional water and sanitation system in terms of sewage, in terms of draining, in terms of access to clean water. And it is not something that goes away just by snapping your fingers,” said Edoumou.

The United Nations, the Congolese government, local and international NGOs have joined forces to provide cholera education and prevention programs as well as treatment centers.

The World Health Organization said the most important treatment is rehydration. It replaces water and salts lost through severe diarrhea and vomiting⁹. Most patients can be rehydrated quickly by drinking large amounts of oral rehydration salts. However, some may need intravenous fluid. 

1 braces   

n.吊带，背带；托架( brace的名词复数 )；箍子；括弧；（儿童）牙箍v.支住( brace的第三人称单数 )；撑牢；使自己站稳；振作起来

参考例句：

• The table is shaky because the braces are loose. 这张桌子摇摇晃晃，因为支架全松了。
• You don't need braces if you're wearing a belt! 要系腰带，就用不着吊带了。

2 cholera   

n.霍乱

参考例句：

• The cholera outbreak has been contained.霍乱的发生已被控制住了。
• Cholera spread like wildfire through the camps.霍乱在营地里迅速传播。

3 intestinal   

adj.肠的；肠壁；肠道细菌

参考例句：

• A few other conditions are in high intestinal obstruction. 其它少数情况是高位肠梗阻。 来自辞典例句
• This complication has occasionally occurred following the use of intestinal antiseptics. 这种并发症偶而发生在使用肠道抗菌剂上。 来自辞典例句

4 humanitarian   

n.人道主义者，博爱者，基督凡人论者

参考例句：

• She has many humanitarian interests and contributes a lot to them.她拥有很多慈善事业，并作了很大的贡献。
• The British government has now suspended humanitarian aid to the area.英国政府现已暂停对这一地区的人道主义援助。

5 bleak   

adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的

参考例句：

• They showed me into a bleak waiting room.他们引我来到一间阴冷的会客室。
• The company's prospects look pretty bleak.这家公司的前景异常暗淡。

6 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。

7 coordination   

n.协调，协作

参考例句：

• Gymnastics is a sport that requires a considerable level of coordination.体操是一项需要高协调性的运动。
• The perfect coordination of the dancers and singers added a rhythmic charm to the performance.舞蹈演员和歌手们配合得很好，使演出更具魅力。

8 sanitation   

n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备

参考例句：

• The location is exceptionally poor,viewed from the sanitation point.从卫生角度来看，这个地段非常糟糕。
• Many illnesses are the result,f inadequate sanitation.许多疾病都来源于不健全的卫生设施。

9 vomiting   

吐

参考例句：

• Symptoms include diarrhoea and vomiting. 症状有腹泻和呕吐。
• Especially when I feel seasick, I can't stand watching someone else vomiting." 尤其晕船的时候，看不得人家呕。”