Pre-reading questions:
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- What can happen when a new disease affects animals?
- How might diseases in animals impact people?
Vocabulary:
I will read the words, meanings, and sample sentences. Then, repeat after me.
- livestock /LAHYV-stok/
- infection /in-FEK-shuhn/
- facility /fuh-SIL-i-tee/
- budget /BUHJ-it/
- safeguard /SEYF-gahrd/
[noun] – farm animals raised for commercial purposes
The farmer checked the livestock to ensure they were healthy and well-fed.
[noun] – a condition in which bacteria or viruses that cause disease have entered the body
The doctor treated the infections with a course of antibiotics.
[noun] – a place or building designed for a specific purpose
The new sports facility offers state-of-the-art equipment and training areas.
[noun] – an estimate of income and expenditure for a set period
They had to adjust their budget to account for unexpected expenses.
[verb] – to protect or keep safe from harm or damage
The company implemented new security measures to safeguard sensitive information.
Article reading:
Please read the whole article. Then, I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
The National Animal Disease Center in Ames, Iowa, is tackling a serious health issue affecting livestock. Established in 1961, the center is currently managing a bird flu outbreak that has recently hit U.S. dairy cows. This outbreak is notable because the H5N1 bird flu virus, usually found in birds, has now been detected in the milk and udders of cows. The research team is working on creating a vaccine for cows to help control the virus’s spread and prevent potential future human infections.
The facility covers 523 acres and includes 93 buildings, such as high-security laboratories and offices. It operates with a $38 million budget and employs about 660 staff members. Researchers are studying how the virus spreads between cows and testing a new vaccine aimed at protecting them. Early results from these studies are promising, though the vaccine is still under development. Scientists are also looking into how the virus spread before it was officially reported and investigating new genetic changes in the virus. This research is essential for managing the current outbreak and preventing future problems. The ongoing work at the center seeks to provide valuable insights into the virus’s impact on animals and develop strategies to safeguard both livestock and human health.
The facility covers 523 acres and includes 93 buildings, such as high-security laboratories and offices. It operates with a $38 million budget and employs about 660 staff members. Researchers are studying how the virus spreads between cows and testing a new vaccine aimed at protecting them. Early results from these studies are promising, though the vaccine is still under development. Scientists are also looking into how the virus spread before it was officially reported and investigating new genetic changes in the virus. This research is essential for managing the current outbreak and preventing future problems. The ongoing work at the center seeks to provide valuable insights into the virus’s impact on animals and develop strategies to safeguard both livestock and human health.
Comprehension questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them based on the article.
- What is unusual about the H5N1 bird flu virus in this outbreak?
- What is the budget of the National Animal Disease Center?
- What are scientists at the center investigating in addition to the vaccine?
- In which U.S. state is the National Animal Disease Center located?
- Which animals are primarily affected by the current outbreak at the center?
Discussion questions
I will read each question. Then, please answer them.
- Have you ever experienced a situation where a disease outbreak affected animals in your community? If so, how did it impact the community, and what measures were taken to address it? If not, have you ever heard about similar situations in other places? How were they handled?
- Have you ever been involved in any research or project aimed at solving a health issue? If so, what was the project about, and what role did you play in it? If not, would you be interested in participating in such a project? Why or why not?
- Do you agree that early research results are crucial for developing effective vaccines?
- What do you think could be some challenges in developing a vaccine for a virus that affects both animals and potentially humans?
- How important is it for research institutions to investigate the history and genetic changes of viruses? What impact does this have on future outbreaks?