©Reuters
Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What are your initial thoughts or concerns about the concept of a dangerous bird flu outbreak?
- How do you think the dangerous bird flu might affect both animals and humans?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- affected /uh-FEK-tid/
- agriculture /AG-ri-kuhl-cher/
- cabinet /KAB-uh-nit/
- conduct /kuhn-DUHKT/
- consequence /KON-si-kwens/
[adjective] – influenced or touched by an external factor
The affected community struggled to recover after the devastating tornado.
[noun] – the practice or work of farming
Sustainable agriculture is crucial for ensuring food security and environmental conservation.
[noun] – a small group of the most important people in government who advise the President or Prime Minister and make important decisions
The president met with the cabinet to discuss economic policies and national security.
[verb] – to organize and perform a particular activity
The inspector conducted a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the fire in the abandoned warehouse.
[noun] – a result of a particular action or situation, often one that is bad or not convenient
Ignoring environmental concerns may have severe consequences for future generations.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
Japan is currently grappling with its first case of the highly pathogenic H5-type bird flu this season, originating from a poultry farm in the southern region of the country. NHK reported this alarming development on November 25, 2023. The affected farm, situated in Saga prefecture, is under scrutiny, and authorities are planning to cull approximately 40,000 birds to contain and prevent the virus’s further spread. Agriculture ministry officials, whose identities remain undisclosed, shared this information, though the ministry was not available for comments beyond regular business hours. In response to this pressing issue, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is slated to convene a meeting with relevant cabinet ministers to formulate comprehensive measures aimed at curbing the virus’s dissemination.
The virus’s identification resulted from genetic testing conducted after the discovery of deceased poultry birds on the farm on November 24, 2023, as per the NHK report. This detection method highlights the stringent surveillance and diagnostic procedures in place to promptly address potential outbreaks. Given the global challenge of highly pathogenic avian influenza in recent years, Japan’s rapid response involves not only culling affected birds but also engaging in high-level discussions to devise strategic measures for preventing the escalation of the avian influenza outbreak. Japan’s proactive stance aligns with international efforts to protect both poultry populations and public health from the consequences of this contagious virus.
The virus’s identification resulted from genetic testing conducted after the discovery of deceased poultry birds on the farm on November 24, 2023, as per the NHK report. This detection method highlights the stringent surveillance and diagnostic procedures in place to promptly address potential outbreaks. Given the global challenge of highly pathogenic avian influenza in recent years, Japan’s rapid response involves not only culling affected birds but also engaging in high-level discussions to devise strategic measures for preventing the escalation of the avian influenza outbreak. Japan’s proactive stance aligns with international efforts to protect both poultry populations and public health from the consequences of this contagious virus.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- Where did the first case of the highly pathogenic H5-type bird flu originate in Japan, and which specific region is mentioned in the article?
- According to the information provided, what measures are authorities planning to take to control and prevent the further spread of the bird flu, and how many birds are expected to be culled?
- Who is mentioned as taking action in response to the bird flu outbreak, and what is the specific role of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in addressing this issue?
- How was the bird flu virus identified on the affected farm, and what method was used for detection as described in the article?
- In what way does Japan’s response to the bird flu outbreak connect with international efforts, and why is it mentioned that Japan’s proactive stance aligns with these global initiatives?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you or someone you know ever experienced a situation where a contagious disease or virus affected your community? If yes, can you share the challenges you faced during that time? If not, how do you think your community might respond to such a situation based on what you’ve read in the article?
- Have you ever observed or experienced a situation where the government played a crucial role in addressing a health crisis, similar to the Japanese government’s response to the bird flu outbreak? If yes, what actions were taken, and how did they impact the community? If not, how do you think effective government involvement could make a difference in handling health emergencies?
- Do you think the government’s decision to cull approximately 40,000 birds is an appropriate and necessary measure to contain the bird flu outbreak?
- How might the identification of the bird flu virus through genetic testing contribute to more effective and targeted measures in controlling the outbreak compared to other identification methods?
- In what ways do you think the proactive stance of Japan, as mentioned in the article, can serve as a model for other countries facing similar health crises? Consider both the immediate actions taken and the high-level discussions at an international level.