Malaria experts fear disease's resurgence 研究人員擔憂瘧疾疫情再起

全球瘧疾病例總數在十年來首次停止下降，這讓研究人員們對這種會致命的疾病再度流行的可能性表示擔憂。

文字稿

There have been dramatic successes in combating malaria over the past 20 years. The number of cases has dropped by 60 per cent and six countries have eliminated it. But figures released at the end of last year show an increase which has shocked experts. They warn it could signal the resurgence of the disease.

Young children are the most at risk. It’s thought one child dies every minute from malaria. Developing resistance to drugs and insecticides is part of the problem but funding levels have also reduced.

Campaigners say a new strategy is required. More money for research and data-gathering technology will help experts target the worst affected areas but they say government commitment is vital to prevent malaria making a comeback.

在過去的20年間，人們在抵禦瘧疾上取得瞭巨大的成功。瘧疾病例的總數下降瞭60%，而且有六個國傢已根除此病。但在去年底發佈的數據卻顯示，該病例總數有所增長，這震驚瞭相關專傢。他們警告說，這可能預示著該疾病將卷土重來。

幼兒面臨的風險最大。據說每過一分鐘就有一個孩子死於瘧疾。對藥物和殺蟲劑產生抗藥性是問題之一，但與此同時，針對瘧疾的研究資金也有所降低。

致力於抗爭瘧疾的人士表示，我們需要一個新策略。為研究和數據收集技術投入更多的經費將幫助專傢針對受疾病影響最嚴重的地區開展工作，但他們說政府的承諾對防止瘧疾再度流行來說至關重要。

1. 詞匯表

dramatic 顯著的，巨大的
combating 抗爭，抵禦
eliminated 消除瞭
signal 預示
resurgence 再次盛行，復蘇
resistance 耐藥性
insecticides 殺蟲劑
funding levels 資金水平
strategy 策略
target 針對、把…作為目標
comeback 重新流行

2. 閱讀理解：請在讀完上文後，回答下列問題。

1. What are malaria experts shocked by?

2. Why are some drugs and insecticides not stopping malaria cases from increasing?

3. How might more money help reduce malaria in the worst affected areas?

4. True or false? Governments need to be involved with helping to prevent malaria from making a comeback.

3. 答案

1. What are malaria experts shocked by?
They are shocked by the increasing figures in malaria.

2. Why are some drugs and insecticides not stopping malaria cases from increasing?
Because the mosquitos that carry malaria have become resistant to some drugs and insecticides.

3. How might more money help reduce malaria in the worst affected areas?
More money can pay for research and data-gathering technology that will help experts tackle malaria in the worst affected areas.

4. True or false? Governments need to be involved with helping to prevent malaria from making a comeback.
True. Campaigners say government commitment is vital to prevent malaria making a comeback.