隨著天氣越來越熱，去年夏天在南美洲爆發、讓全球聞之色變的茲卡病毒疫情，如今又有噩夢重演的危機。回想一年前，對這種病毒的恐懼，主要來自於沒有疫苗、難以防治，同時也就無法推估疫情惡化的程度；然而，經過一年，美國疾病管制中心（CDC）在５月25日的記者會坦承，對於茲卡，目前仍然所知不多。 CDC：Given what we now know as we said we think it's important to cast a wide net and to include both asymptomatic and symptomatic pregnant women. Journalist：And do you have any idea, any estimate when you might be able to put a number on the risk that Zika poses for microcephaly in U.S. women? CDC：We're learning more every day but we don't have enough data to estimate that at this time. CDC：像我們剛剛說的，就目前所知，廣泛蒐集資訊是很重要的，這包括觀察無症狀及有症狀的孕婦。 記者：關於茲卡病毒對美國婦女產下小腦症嬰兒的威脅，何時可以給出推估的數據？ CDC：我們每天都有一點進展，但目前仍沒有足夠的資料去推估。 看懂關鍵字 cast a wide net 廣泛蒐集（人事物）例句：We don’t have a clear marketing vision, so all we can do for now is to cast a wide net. 我們對行銷還沒有明確的概念，現在只能先廣泛蒐集資料。 symptomatic / sɪmpt ˋmatɪk/ a. 症狀、徵兆例句：A decrease in interest rate may be symptomatic of the economy slowing down. 利率下降可能是經濟走緩的徵兆。 microcephaly / maɪkroˋsɛf lɪ/ n. 小腦症例句：Cases of microcephaly has increased recently; Zika virus might be the potential reason. 小腦症患者近期明顯增加；茲卡病毒可能是潛在原因。 撰文 / 蔡曜蓮 | ||||