Health officials in the UK are investigating the first confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu. The A(H1N2)v infection was discovered during a routine flu screening test at a GP surgery in North Yorkshire. The person affected had respiratory symptoms but has since fully recovered. They did not have any known contact with pigs, so investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to human health. While cases of swine flu in humans do occur, with 50 cases reported globally in the past 20 years, this particular strain is slightly different from recent cases but similar to viruses found in UK pigs.

In 2009, there was a pandemic of swine flu caused by a virus that spread among pigs, birds, and humans. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plans to increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area of North Yorkshire. Close contacts of the infected individual are being traced to prevent further spread. The Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, has expressed confidence in the UKHSA’s screening and monitoring program and urged the public to trust their expertise.

People experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to avoid contact with others, especially those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions. The Chief Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of animal health, welfare, and biosecurity to prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. Pig owners are urged to report any signs of swine flu in their herds to their local vet.

Experts in the field have stated that this new strain of swine flu does not cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza. They believe that this single case is unlikely to represent anything more significant than what has been seen in the past. The infection was mild, which aligns with previous experiences. Overall, there is no need for excessive concern at this time.

Original news source: Swine flu: UK detects first human case of new strain (BBC)

Listen

Slow

Normal

Fast

Group or Classroom Activities

Warm-up Activities:

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a copy of the article. Instruct them to read the article and summarize the key points in their own words. They should then present their summaries to the class.

– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Write the following question on the board: “Do you think the new strain of swine flu is a cause for concern?” Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Instruct them to discuss their opinions on the topic and come up with reasons to support their stance. After a few minutes, conduct a class poll by asking each group to share their opinions and reasons.

– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Write a list of vocabulary words from the article on the board. Divide the class into teams. One person from each team will come to the front of the class and choose a word from the list. They must then draw a picture on the board to represent the word, while their team tries to guess what it is. The team that guesses correctly gets a point.

– Speed Summarizing
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs. Give each pair a copy of the article. Instruct them to take turns summarizing the article to their partner in one minute or less. After one minute, they should switch roles. Continue for several rounds, gradually decreasing the amount of time they have to summarize.

– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the class to imagine they are health officials predicting the future of this new strain of swine flu. Divide the class into small groups. Instruct each group to discuss and make predictions about the potential impact of the new strain. They should consider factors such as its spread, severity, and public response. Each group will then present their predictions to the class, explaining their reasoning.

Comprehension Questions:

1. What is the name of the new strain of swine flu that health officials in the UK are investigating?
2. How was the A(H1N2)v infection discovered?
3. What is being done to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to human health?
4. What actions are the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) taking in response to this case?
5. What advice is given to people experiencing flu-like symptoms?
6. Why is it important to maintain high standards of animal health, welfare, and biosecurity?
7. What do experts say about the severity of this new strain of swine flu compared to other types of influenza?
8. Should the public be excessively concerned about this new strain of swine flu based on the information provided?
Go to answers ⇩

Listen and Fill in the Gaps:

Health officials in the UK are investigating the first confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu. The A(H1N2)v infection was discovered during a routine flu (1)______ test at a GP surgery in North (2)______. The person affected had (3)______ symptoms but has since fully recovered. They did not have any known contact with pigs, so investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to (4)______ health. While cases of swine flu in humans do occur, with 50 cases reported globally in the past 20 (5)______, this particular strain is slightly different from recent cases but similar to (6)______ found in UK pigs.

In 2009, there was a pandemic of swine flu caused by a (7)______ that spread among pigs, (8)______, and humans. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plans to increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area of North Yorkshire. Close contacts of the infected individual are being traced to prevent further spread. The Health Secretary, Victoria Atkins, has expressed confidence in the UKHSA’s screening and monitoring program and urged the public to trust their expertise.

(9)______ experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to avoid (10)______ with (11)______, especially those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions. The (12)______ Veterinary Officer, Christine Middlemiss, emphasizes the importance of maintaining high standards of animal health, welfare, and biosecurity to prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans. Pig owners are urged to report any signs of swine flu in their herds to their local vet.

Experts in the field have stated that this new strain of swine flu does not (13)______ more severe disease than other common types of influenza. They (14)______ that this single case is unlikely to represent anything more significant than what has been seen in the past. The infection was mild, which aligns with previous (15)______. Overall, there is no need for excessive (16)______ at this time.
Go to answers ⇩

Discussion Questions:

Students can ask a partner these questions, or discuss them as a group.

1. What is your opinion on the UK’s response to the new strain of swine flu?
2. How would you feel if you were in the affected area of North Yorkshire?
3. Do you think the public should trust the UK Health Security Agency’s screening and monitoring program? Why or why not?
4. Have you ever experienced flu-like symptoms? How did you handle it?
5. What precautions do you take to prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans?
6. Do you think it is important for pig owners to report signs of swine flu in their herds? Why or why not?
7. How do you feel about the statement that this new strain of swine flu does not cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza?
8. Have you ever been vaccinated for influenza? Why or why not?
9. How do you think the UK could improve its surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals?
10. What measures do you take to protect yourself and others when you have flu-like symptoms?
11. Do you think the media’s coverage of the new strain of swine flu has been accurate? Why or why not?
12. How do you think the public should react to news of a new strain of swine flu?
13. What is your opinion on the statement that there is no need for excessive concern at this time?
14. Have you ever known someone who has had swine flu? How did they handle it?
15. Do you think the UK should be doing more to prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans? Why or why not?

Individual Activities

Vocabulary Meanings:

Match each word to its meaning.

Words:
1. strain
2. infection
3. pigs
4. surveillance
5. symptoms
6. transmission
7. severity
8. concern

Meanings:
(a) A particular type or variety of something
(b) The extent or seriousness of a disease or condition
(c) Indications or signs of a disease or condition
(d) Worry, anxiety, or unease about something
(e) Domesticated mammals raised for meat or breeding
(f) The process of invading and multiplying in the body
(g) The act or process of passing something from one person to another
(h) Close observation, especially of a suspected person or area
Go to answers ⇩

Multiple Choice Questions:

1. What is the new strain of swine flu called?
(a) A(H1N2)v
(b) A(H3N1)
(c) A(H5N1)
(d) A(H2N2)

2. Where was the first confirmed case of the new strain of swine flu discovered?
(a) North Yorkshire
(b) London
(c) Manchester
(d) Birmingham

3. How many cases of swine flu in humans have been reported globally in the past 20 years?
(a) 100
(b) 200
(c) 50
(d) 500

4. What caused the pandemic of swine flu in 2009?
(a) A virus that only spread among pigs
(b) A virus that spread among pigs, birds, and humans
(c) A virus that only spread among birds
(d) A virus that only spread among humans

5. What is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) planning to do in response to the new strain of swine flu?
(a) Close all GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area
(b) Increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals nationwide
(c) Close all GP surgeries and hospitals nationwide
(d) Increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area

6. Who is responsible for tracing close contacts of the infected individual?
(a) The Chief Veterinary Officer
(b) The Health Secretary
(c) The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)
(d) The local vet

7. What is the advice for people experiencing flu-like symptoms?
(a) Seek immediate medical attention
(b) Avoid contact with others, especially the elderly or those with underlying health conditions
(c) Continue with normal activities
(d) Take over-the-counter flu medication

8. What do experts say about the severity of the new strain of swine flu?
(a) It is more severe than other common types of influenza
(b) It is less severe than other common types of influenza
(c) It is too early to determine the severity of the new strain
(d) It does not cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza

Go to answers ⇩

True or False Questions:

1. Health officials in the UK are investigating a confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu.
2. The infected person did not have any known contact with pigs.
3. Investigations are complete to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to human health.
4. Experts believe that this new strain of swine flu does cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza.
5. Close contacts of the infected individual are not being traced to prevent further spread.
6. The infected person had respiratory symptoms but has fully recovered.
7. The new strain of swine flu is significantly different from recent cases but similar to viruses found in UK pigs.
8. The UK Health Security Agency plans to increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area.
Go to answers ⇩

Write a Summary:

Write a summary of this news article in two sentences.

Writing Questions:

Answer the following questions. Write as much as you can for each answer.

1. What is the significance of the first confirmed case of the new strain of swine flu in the UK?
2. How is the UK Health Security Agency planning to increase surveillance in the affected area?
3. What precautions should people take if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms?
4. Why is it important for pig owners to report signs of swine flu in their herds?
5. What do experts say about the severity of this new strain of swine flu?

Answers

Comprehension Question Answers:

1. The new strain of swine flu that health officials in the UK are investigating is called A(H1N2)v.
2. The A(H1N2)v infection was discovered during a routine flu screening test at a GP surgery in North Yorkshire.
3. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to human health.
4. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) plans to increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area of North Yorkshire. Close contacts of the infected individual are being traced to prevent further spread.
5. People experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to avoid contact with others, especially those who are elderly or have underlying health conditions.
6. It is important to maintain high standards of animal health, welfare, and biosecurity to prevent the transmission of diseases from animals to humans.
7. Experts in the field have stated that this new strain of swine flu does not cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza.
8. Based on the information provided, there is no need for excessive concern about this new strain of swine flu at this time.
Go back to questions ⇧

Listen and Fill in the Gaps Answers:

(1) screening
(2) Yorkshire
(3) respiratory
(4) human
(5) years
(6) viruses
(7) virus
(8) birds
(9) People
(10) contact
(11) others
(12) Chief
(13) cause
(14) believe
(15) experiences
(16) concern
Go back to questions ⇧

Vocabulary Meanings Answers:

1. strain
Answer: (a) A particular type or variety of something

2. infection
Answer: (f) The process of invading and multiplying in the body

3. pigs
Answer: (e) Domesticated mammals raised for meat or breeding

4. surveillance
Answer: (h) Close observation, especially of a suspected person or area

5. symptoms
Answer: (c) Indications or signs of a disease or condition

6. transmission
Answer: (g) The act or process of passing something from one person to another

7. severity
Answer: (b) The extent or seriousness of a disease or condition

8. concern
Answer: (d) Worry, anxiety, or unease about something
Go back to questions ⇧

Multiple Choice Answers:

1. What is the new strain of swine flu called?
Answer: (a) A(H1N2)v

2. Where was the first confirmed case of the new strain of swine flu discovered?
Answer: (a) North Yorkshire

3. How many cases of swine flu in humans have been reported globally in the past 20 years?
Answer: (c) 50

4. What caused the pandemic of swine flu in 2009?
Answer: (b) A virus that spread among pigs, birds, and humans

5. What is the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) planning to do in response to the new strain of swine flu?
Answer: (d) Increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area

6. Who is responsible for tracing close contacts of the infected individual?
Answer: (c) The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA)

7. What is the advice for people experiencing flu-like symptoms?
Answer: (b) Avoid contact with others, especially the elderly or those with underlying health conditions

8. What do experts say about the severity of the new strain of swine flu?
Answer: (d) It does not cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza
Go back to questions ⇧

True or False Answers:

1. Health officials in the UK are investigating a confirmed case of a new strain of swine flu. (Answer: True)
2. The infected person did not have any known contact with pigs. (Answer: True)
3. Investigations are complete to determine the source of the infection and its potential risk to human health. (Answer: False)
4. Experts believe that this new strain of swine flu does cause more severe disease than other common types of influenza. (Answer: False)
5. Close contacts of the infected individual are not being traced to prevent further spread. (Answer: False)
6. The infected person had respiratory symptoms but has fully recovered. (Answer: True)
7. The new strain of swine flu is significantly different from recent cases but similar to viruses found in UK pigs. (Answer: False)
8. The UK Health Security Agency plans to increase surveillance in GP surgeries and hospitals in the affected area. (Answer: True)
Go back to questions ⇧