レッスンを予約する
Step 1
Read the Article
Read the article to understand the main idea.
記事を読んで、おおよその内容をつかみましょう。
Malawi starts new polio vaccinations after vaccine-derived virus is found in Blantyre sewage
Health workers in Malawi have started a new vaccination campaign after traces of vaccine-derived polio were found in sewage in the country.
The campaign began on Feb. 11 and aims to protect children from polio, a disease that can cause loss of movement. The effort is a reminder that polio has not yet been eliminated, even after more than 35 years of work by the World Health Organization and its partners.
A WHO report said there were 38 cases of the natural polio virus between January and October 2025, all in Pakistan and Afghanistan. It also recorded 151 cases of vaccine-derived polio virus in 13 countries.
Vaccine-derived cases can occur when the weakened virus used in oral vaccines changes and spreads, leading to new outbreaks. Under WHO rules, Malawi declared an outbreak after confirming the traces in environmental samples.
Charles Chilambula, a senior health official, said 1.7 million doses will be given to children in schools and through door-to-door visits. The Health Ministry said it is using a novel oral polio vaccine designed to stop Type 2 polio virus outbreaks.
The WHO says about one in 200 infections results in loss of movement, usually in the legs, and stresses that full removal of polio requires every child to be vaccinated.
(AP)
Step 2
Check the Vocabulary and Phrases
Check the following vocabulary and phrases.
以下の単語やフレーズの発音、意味、使い方を確認しましょう。
sewage
下水
waste matter such as water or human waste that is carried away from homes and factories through special pipes
The city is improving its sewage system to protect public health.
その都市は公衆衛生を守るために下水システムを改善している。
trace
痕跡
a very small amount of something that is difficult to detect
Scientists found traces of chemicals in the water.
科学者たちは水の中に化学物質の痕跡を発見した。
eliminate
根絶する
to remove or get rid of something completely
The country is trying to eliminate the virus completely.
その国はそのウイルスを完全に根絶しようとしている。
outbreak
（病気などの）発生
a time when something suddenly begins, especially a disease or something else dangerous or unpleasant
The government acted quickly to stop the outbreak of the disease.
政府はその病気の発生を止めるために迅速に行動した。
declare
宣言する
to say something officially or publicly
The city declared an emergency after the accident.
その都市は事故の後、非常事態を宣言した。
Step 3
Comprehension Questions
Answer the following questions based on the article.
理解度問題に挑戦しましょう。
What was recently discovered about polio in Malawi?
What action has WHO taken in response to the polio situation?
Step 4
Discussion
Share your opinions on the following questions.
以下の質問について、自分の考えを述べてみましょう。
Have you ever received a vaccine at school or at a clinic? What do you remember about that day?
If there was news about a disease in your town, what simple actions would you take in your daily life?
Do you usually feel calm or nervous before getting a shot? Why do you think you feel that way?
When you hear about a new virus or disease, how do you decide whether to believe it or not?
Even when vaccines are available, some people do not get them; what personal reasons do you think people might have?