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Avian bird flu is migrating west and has caused fears of a global pandemic. The deadly influenza strain originated in Asia two years ago, where 61 people died in China, Vietnam and Thailand. Migratory birds have since carried the virus west to Siberia, Russia, where it killed 11,000 birds and prompted vets to slaughter 127,000 others in an attempt to halt its spread. Russian officials have alerted Western European nations that the deadly H5N1 strain is on its way. Countries are now scrambling to shore up their defenses against any outbreaks among their poultry populations. Holland has ordered all chicken farmers to keep their birds indoors as a precautionary measure.
Dr. Evgueny Nepoklonov from Russia’s Department of Agriculture has appealed for international financial help to prevent the virus from threatening human life. He said in a news conference: “This isn’t a problem of a single state…it is a problem of all mankind that must be studied together and that needs consolidated and well-coordinated activity.” Time is of the essence in expediting measures to fight against the virus. Experts believe thousands of flocks of infected birds will migrate to Western Europe in mid-September and then to North America. The World Health Organization has voiced concerns that the virus might mutate and spread among humans, which could potentially kill millions.
I.COMPREHENSION
:
A.True or false?Justify your answer:
1.Avian bird flu kills only birds
2.The H5NI virus had its origins in Europe.
B.Answer the questiosn:
1.Why is the avian bird flu considered as a deadly disease?
2.list some measures taken by some European countries to fight against the virus
3.What are the W.H.O (World Health Organization) worries?
4.Wat do the coloured words in the text refer to?
a)it
b) a problem (What problem?)
C.Complete the sentnces
1.The WHO’s claim that millions of eople could die because
2. The virus might mutate and spread to humans if
D.Find in the text words meaning the same as:
1.accelerating
2.Expressed
