Newsflash english - swine flu virus causes worldwide panic

Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
URL: http://www.newsflashenglish.com/110509/swineflu1.html Contents
Ideas and Articles by David Robinson
11th May 2009
Category: Economic / Health / Swine flu
Level: Intermediate / Upper intermediate
This lesson is the copyright of www.newsflashenglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 THE ARTICLE
Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
Swine flu panic is taking effect across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus that started in Mexico in pigs and transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine- flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the chief carriers, be it that they are the unwitting carriers of the virus. Now it is spreading to people who have been in contact with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the death toll has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry is facing disaster as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama to limit the spread of the disease. The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could trigger a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means a global pandemic is imminent. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which is affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but must be Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 Countries to be first affected included the USA, the UK and Spain. Now many others have joined the list that grows daily. A British honeymoon couple were among the first to catch the disease. They caught the virus on the plane coming home from Mexico. A Mexican man travelling on a flight to China had the virus. China quarantined 300 guests and staff at the hotel in Hong Kong where he was staying. In Egypt the government has ordered the slaughter of more than 300,000 pigs. Experts have said though that the virus cannot be spread through eating pork. The U.S. now has 160 reported cases of the swine flu that has been reported in 21 states. Only in one case President Obama in his weekly radio address said ‘The US was taking all necessary steps’. He has asked for more medicines and equipment to fight the swine flu. He has also asked congress for $1.5 billion to pay for development of a swine flu vaccine and to purchase additional anti-virals. Many companies in many countries are now buying the drug needed to overcome the swine flu for their employees. Supermarkets are busy preparing for panic buying. One official at the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said, “The new virus lacks the traits that made the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic so deadly.” The last major flu pandemic was in 1968 when the Hong Kong flu epidemic claimed the lives of 1m people. The Mexican authorities may just have over reacted to the virus. However, maybe they haven’t. The next few days will determine whether the 5 day Mexican shutdown of businesses and public buildings could still be extended. In the meantime travellers are being advised not to travel to Mexico. At the end of the day has this all been a global false alarm? It is still too early to say. If a pandemic does occur then this is merely the dress rehearsal. Tracking the swine flu:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8021547.stm http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&t=p&msa=0&msi d=106484775090296685271.0004681a37b713f6b5950&ll=32.63937 5,-110.390625&spn=15.738151,25.488281&source=embed Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 1. Swine flu: What is swine flu? Which country did it start in? Is it easy to
catch? Do you know anyone who has it? Have you been vaccinated? Go round the
room swapping stories. Change partners often.
2. Dictation: The teacher will read some of the article slowly and clearly.
Students will write down what they hear. The teacher will repeat the passage slowly
again. Self correct your work from page 2 - filling in spaces and correcting mistakes.
Be honest with yourself on the number of errors. Advise the teacher of your total
number of errors. Less than 5 is very good. 10 are acceptable. Any more is room for
improvement! More than 20 - we need to do some work!
3. Reading: Get students to read the passage aloud. Swap readers every
paragraph.
4. Vocabulary: Students look through the article. Underline/highlight any
vocabulary you do not know. Look in dictionaries. Discuss and help each other out.
The teacher will go through & explain any words or phrases you do not understand.
5. The article: Students look through the article with the teacher.
Is this not just another inflated press story to take our minds off the What is the difference between this flu and ‘normal’ flu? What is the latest situation on this story? 6. I went to Mexico…: You and a friend/your family have just got back
from a holiday to Mexico. You have witnessed the country shutdown because of the
swine flu virus. Think of 10 things you saw there to do with the swine flu. (Imagine!)
List them below. Tell your partner a short story about your holiday experience.
The teacher will choose some pairs to hear their stories in front of the class.
7. Swine fever: Swap partners. With your new partner on the board write as
many words to do with ‘Swine fever’ as you can. One-two minutes. Compare with
other teams. Using your words compile a short dialogue together.
Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 8. Sentences: Choose six/nine of the words from no 7. Write two/three
sentences using two/three words in each. Underline your chosen words. The teacher
will if necessary correct your work. Students might be asked to read their sentences
aloud.
9. Economic disaster for Mexico? Think of 4 business reasons why
the swine flu is a disaster for Mexico. Discuss with your partner. What is the best
way forward for the country? How would you help Mexico if you were in charge?
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.
10. Swine flu virus causes panic worldwide: Below are 20
words and phrases to do with the swine flu virus. Use them to compile your own
story about it. Add 2 words of your own. Tell your story to your partner.
Your word 1 ________________ Your word 2 ______________ The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their stories in front of the class. 11. Article quiz: With your partner or in small groups: (1 point for each
correct answer. Lose ½ point if you look at the article for help!)
Student A
Name the common drugs available to treat the flu. How many countries has the W.H.O. sent anti viral treatment to? How many people have been affected in Mexico? Student B
Who are an excellent melting pot for viruses? Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 12. Quick debate: Students A believe the Mexican swine flu virus is vastly
overrated. It is a panic over nothing. Students B believe otherwise. Explain why.
13. Childhood diseases: Look at the childhood diseases listed below.
Add 2 of your own. What do you remember about them? Discuss with your partner.
What are the symptoms? Why do we get these?
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.
14. Diseases we can catch from animals: What do you know
about the following diseases humans can catch from animals? From which animals?
Discuss with your partner.
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.
15. Other diseases: What do you know about the following diseases?
(Here are a few - there are many) Add 2 of your own. Discuss with your partner.
The teacher will choose some pairs to discuss their findings in front of the class.
16. Sentence starters: Finish these sentence starters. Correct your
mistakes. Compare what other people have written.
a) Swine flu ______________________________________________________ b) Facemasks _____________________________________________________ c) The virus ______________________________________________________ d) Panic _________________________________________________________ e) W.H.O. ___________________________________________________ Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 AFTER READING / LISTENING
1. TRUE / FALSE: After reading the article guess whether these sentences
are true (T) or false (F):
a. The swine flu started in Mexico from pigs b. The pigs got their flu from birds in a melting pot of viruses c. The disease originated from a pig farm outside Mexico City d. The Mexican border to the USA has been sealed off e. Over 200 people are now dead due to the swine virus Tamiflu and Relenza are the 2 most common drugs available for flu T / F h. China quarantined some 400 guests in a hotel in Hong Kong 2. SYNONYM MATCH: Match the following synonyms from the article:
3. PHRASE MATCH: Match the following phrases from the article:
b. Health authorities the world over are e. Now it is spreading to people who have warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 GAP FILL: READING:
Put the words into the gaps in the text. Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
Swine flu _____ is taking effect across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus that started in Mexico in pigs and transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the chief ________, be it that they are the _________ carriers of the virus. Now it is spreading to people who have been in contact with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the _____ toll has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the _____. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry is facing ________ as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama to limit the ______ of the The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral _________ to 72 countries worldwide. Among them many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could _______ a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means a global ________ is ________. Swine flu ________ are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, ______ and fatigue. Swine flu is a ___________ disease, caused by influenza type A, which is affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has _______ from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but must be administered early to be Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 GAP FILL: LISTENING:
Listen and fill in the spaces.
Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
Swine flu panic is taking effect ________________. Fuelled by the international press the _____________________ Mexico in pigs and transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread __________________. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the chief carriers, be it that they are the unwitting carriers of the virus. Now it is spreading to people who ____________________ with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the death toll has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the ___________________. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The ________________________ is facing disaster as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama to limit the spread of ____________________. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them many developing countries. WHO ____________________ that the swine flu could trigger a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means ____________________ imminent. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, _______________________. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from _____________________ each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but must be administered Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 DISCUSSION
STUDENT A’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student B) a. Did the headline make you want to read the article? b. What do you think the Mexican government should do? c. What is your government doing about the swine flu virus? d. What are you doing about the swine flu virus? e. Shouldn’t we be more worried about the economic crisis rather f. Is the W.H.O. doing enough? g. Do you fancy a trip to Mexico right now? h. Will the swine flu put you off going to Mexico in the future? i. When did you last have the flu? j. Have you ever had a disease from an animal? ✄--------------------------------------------------------------------- STUDENT B’s QUESTIONS (Do not show these to student A) a. What do you think about what you read? b. When did you last have a flu jab? c. Should governments be doing more to combat the virus? d. Have any of your friends recently had the flu? e. Would you like to be quarantined? What would you do? f. Has there been an over reaction to the swine flu virus? g. What do your friends think of the panic created by the media? h. Are you worried about the swine flu virus? i. Is a global pandemic imminent? j. Did you like this discussion? Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 SPEAKING
Mexican swine flu virus: Allow 10-15 minutes
In pairs / groups
You are at a press conference of Mexican President Felipe Calderon. One of you is the Mexican President. (A translator is nearby!) The others in the group can be journalists. The journalist(s) can think of 3 good questions to ask the Mexican president. The Mexican president can say a few words ahead of taking questions. Your good question
The teacher can moderate the session
Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 PUT THE ARTICLE BACK TOGETHER
Put the article back together
( ) them many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could trigger a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means a global pandemic is is facing disaster as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama to limit the spread of the disease. The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but must be globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the chief carriers, be it that they are the unwitting carriers of the virus. Now Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry Imminent. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which is affecting Swine flu panic is taking effect across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus that started in Mexico in pigs and transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the it is spreading to people who have been in contact with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the death toll has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 LANGUAGE: CORRECT WORD: Choose the correct words
from a–d below and write them in the article.
Swine flu panic is taking effect across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus that started in Mexico in pigs and transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by (1)__ are the (2)__ carriers, be it that they are the (3)__ carriers of the virus. (4)__ it is spreading to people who have been in contact with these (5)__. In Mexico where the disease started the death (6)__ has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry is facing disaster as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama to limit the spread of The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could (7)__ a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means a global pandemic is imminent. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, (8)__ throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, (9)__ by influenza (10)__ A, which is affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by (11)__ and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting (12)__’ for viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but must be administered early to be effective. Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 GRAMMAR 1: MIDWAY
Put the words into the gaps in the text. Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
Swine flu panic is taking effect across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus (1)__ started in Mexico in pigs and transferred itself (2)__ humans is now slowly starting to spread all (3)__ the globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning (4)__ Mexico by air are the chief carriers, be it that (5)__ are the unwitting carriers of the virus. Now it is spreading to people who have been in contact with (6)__ travellers. In Mexico (7)__ the disease started the death toll has steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry is facing disaster as visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely (8)__ US President Obama to limit the spread of the The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them (1)__ developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu (2)__ trigger a pandemic. Last week (3)__ upgraded the threat (4)__ a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which is affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The latest form of H1N1, (5)__ is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for viruses to mix and match (6)__ each (7)__. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu but (8)__ be Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 GRAMMAR 2: EASY
Put the words into the gaps in the text. Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic
Swine flu panic is taking effect across the world. Fuelled (1)__ the international press the virus that started in Mexico (2)__ pigs (3)__ transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the globe. Health authorities the world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the chief carriers, be it that they are the unwitting carriers of the virus. (4)__ it is spreading to people who have been in contact with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the death toll has steadily risen. (5)__ far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. (6)__ Mexican tourism industry is facing disaster as visitors head out (7)__ the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President Obama (8)__ limit the spread of the The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing daily alerts. Google maps show (1)__ the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is (2)__ 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses (3)__ anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could trigger a pandemic. Last week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. (4)__ means a global pandemic is imminent. Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced (5)__ ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which is affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. (6)__ latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu (7)__ Relenza are the two most common drugs available to treat the flu (8)__ must be Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009
SPELLING TEST
The teacher will ask the class individually to spell the following
words that are in the article:
Your score: Pass = 12, Good = 15, Very good = 18, Excellent = 20
HOMEWORK
Newspaper article: Write an article on “Swine flu”. (Minimum
200 words) Read what you wrote to your classmates in the next
lesson. Which article was best and why?
WRITING: In class:
Five-minute article: Write an article on “Swine flu”. You have
five minutes. The teacher will select some students to read out their
work.
Countdown: Every minute the teacher may say, “You have xx minutes left”.
Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 TRUE / FALSE:
SYNONYM MATCH:
PHRASE MATCH:
warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. GAP FILL: Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic: Swine flu panic is taking effect
across the world. Fuelled by the international press the virus that started in Mexico in pigs and
transferred itself into humans is now slowly starting to spread all over the globe. Health authorities the
world over are warning of a swine-flu ‘Armageddon’. Travellers returning from Mexico by air are the
chief carriers, be it that they are the unwitting carriers of the virus. Now it is spreading to people who
have been in contact with these travellers. In Mexico where the disease started the death toll has
steadily risen. So far 443 people have been affected with 16 reported deaths. The Mexican government
has ordered a shut down of businesses for 5 days in a bid to stem the spread of the virus. Schools have
been shut. People have been issued with facemasks. The Mexican tourism industry is facing disaster as
visitors head out of the country. Mexican President Felipe Calderon is working closely with US President
Obama to limit the spread of the disease. The World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) has been issuing
daily alerts. Google maps show how the virus has rapidly spread. The latest number of reported cases is
now 658. WHO has sent 2.4m courses of anti viral treatment to 72 countries worldwide. Among them
many developing countries. WHO has issued a warning that the swine flu could trigger a pandemic. Last
week they upgraded the threat from a level 4 to level 5 of 6. It means a global pandemic is imminent.
Swine flu symptoms are similar to those produced by ordinary flu – fever, cough, sore throat, body
aches, chills and fatigue. Swine flu is a respiratory disease, caused by influenza type A, which is
affecting pigs. The latest form clearly has affected humans and is spread by coughing and sneezing. The
latest form of H1N1, which is a normal flu has mutated from pigs, who are an excellent ‘melting pot’ for
viruses to mix and match with each other. Tamiflu and Relenza are the two most common drugs
available to treat the flu but must be administered early to be effective.
LANGUAGE WORK:
Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com Swine flu virus causes worldwide panic (V1) – 11th May 2009 Find this and similar lessons at http://www.NewsFlashEnglish.com

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