6 Minute English - The Ebola Outbreak











Today we are talking about quite controversial subject. The use of experiment drugs to treat the disease. And as a way, you learn some vocabularies. So you can talk about the topic too.

Experimental drugs are medicines which are still being tested. They haven't yet being officially approved. Experimental drug are a very hot topic with the recent cases of Ebola in western Africa.

Ebola is caused by virus for which there is no cure yet. And mortality rate is high. The mortality rate is the proportion of people of particular group who actually died of the disease.

Hundreds of people have been affected in Genie, Liberia and XXXX. And over half have died.

So the WHO decided to allow the use of experimental drugs hunt people with virus.

This is something very risky. The drug might cause unexpected changes in bodies and make the patient worse. These are what we called side effect.

But before we talk anymore about experimental drugs, let's go for an unusual question. So FeiFei, How much do you know about the Ebola virus?

I am afraid I don't know very much. But I have been following on the news.

OK. Maybe we have a guess of this question. The virus Ebola got its name after river, an northern part of dramatic of republic Congo. But when was it discovered? Was it in
a) 1966
b) 1976
c) 1986

Well, I am not really sure. But I gonna go with answer b) 1976.

OK. We'll have the answer at the end of the programme. Now let's get back to our topic, Experimental drugs. The WHO announced they will allow the use of drugs on humans but only under certain conditions.

What are the conditions?

Well, with the answer is Dr.XXXX who works for the WHO. Which word does she use to mean the patient gives  permission for the drug to be used.

Transparency about all aspects of care, in four consents. Freedom of choice. Confident charity. Respect for person and preservation of  ability. And with the involvement of community.

The word for permission was consent. And in form, consent was one of the condition.

Inform consent means permission given by the patent  after they been told of the risks of using the drug.

And want, what would happen if it didn't work  or if the patient had the bad reaction? My basis, see you the doctor.

Well that is a very interesting point. The health minister of Liberia XXXX had already said the people won't be allowed to sue if the drug doesn't work. Or it make them worse. Listening to what he says now. And see if you can identify the word he uses to mean being legally responsible for something.

We are not yet and signed using them. It is an experimental drug so people have to sign a waver and ask as a give to them. It is not yet a drug. It is not for general use.

Wow. He is very direct. XXX government note the doctor liable. That's the word which means legally responsible if something bad happens to you.

And that's why if you are infected with virus, you have to sign a waver.

A waver. This is a formal document in which the person says he's giving up a right or claim. In this case, the right to take others to court.

Yes. That's right.

So people who are infected Ebola can talk to doctor, sign this document this waver,  and get medicine.

Well, not exactly. Because not everyone gets it.

And why is that?

Well, it's still experimental and not much of it have been produced. So there might be not enough for all who need it. So do you give it to the sickness who are likely to died or those not so sick, who might recover with the help of drug. It's a big dilemma. A dilemma is a situation in which choice has to be made between different things. One is not much better than the other.

Quite a dilemma indeed.

Now let's get back to our quiz.


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