实用英语：Swine Flu 猪流感
The global pandemic that is Influenza H1N1, more commonly known as swineflu, continues its rapid and virulent spread. The World Health Organisation
reported the number of infected people to have reached 9,830 across 40
countries.
The virus, which is thought to have originated in Mexico, has now spread as
far south as Australia and as far east as Japan. With over 170 reported cases,
Japan has one of the highest instances of infection in Asia.
In response, Japan, like many other badly infected regions, has tried to
contain any further spread of the virus. One measure taken has been the
temporary closure of 4,000 schools, colleges and nurseries in and around Hyogo
and Osaka.
Students have been advised to stay at home until further notice but a few
restless individuals have found a more entertaining and musical way to spend
their new-found free time.
It appears some Japanese students are not spending their time worrying
about the virus, but spending it practising their singing instead.
In fact, a few karaoke club owners in Japan have reported record numbers of
customers. One club manager told the AFP news agency: "We suddenly had a number
of high school students after 2pm yesterday, right after the announcement that
schools would close for a week."
Neither students nor club owners appear overly worried about the virus. So
just how concerned should they be?
Well, according to a recent statement from Dr Margaret Chan, Director
General of the World Health Organization:
"With the exception of the outbreak in Mexico, which is still not fully
understood, the H1N1 virus tends to cause very mild illness in otherwise healthy
people. Outside Mexico, nearly all cases of illness, and all deaths, have been
detected in people with underlying chronic conditions."
GLOSSARY 词汇表
pandemic
(疾病)普遍流行的
influenza
(医) 流行性感冒
swine flu
猪流感
rapid
迅速的
virulent
致命的，致病性的
spread
传播
infected
被传染了
virus
病毒
contain
控制
temporary closure
暂时关闭
restless
焦躁不安的
free time
空闲时间
worrying
忧虑
karaoke
卡拉OK
record numbers
创纪录人数
neither…nor…
既不…也不… (两者都不)
concerned
担心
outbreak
爆发
mild illness
轻微的病状，小病
underlying chronic conditions
固有的长期疾病
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