Sick People on a Big Ship

May 13, 2026, 22:16
AfricaHealth

Introduction

Many doctors are helping people who got a virus on a ship. Eleven people are sick and three people died. Now, these people are in different countries to stay safe.

Main Body

The sick people were on a ship called the MV Hondius. A man and a woman from the Netherlands got the virus from mice at a trash site. They died. This virus can move from one person to another person if they stay very close for a long time. Different countries helped the sick people. In the USA, doctors put people in special hospitals. In Europe, people stayed in hospitals in Spain, France, and the Netherlands. One person in France is very sick and needs a machine to help them breathe. Some people say the USA health office, the CDC, does not have enough workers. Also, some people on the internet are telling lies about the virus. This makes it hard for doctors to help people.

Conclusion

The virus is not spreading to more people now. The ship is going back to Rotterdam to get clean. The sick people are still waiting for doctors to check them.

Learning

📍 Where are they?

Look at how we talk about places. In English, we use in for countries and cities:

  • in the USA
  • in Europe
  • in Spain
  • in France
  • in the Netherlands

The Rule: Use in → [Country/City].

🔄 Moving Things

Notice these simple action words from the story:

  1. Move (Change place) →\rightarrow The virus can move from one person to another.
  2. Spread (Go to many people) →\rightarrow The virus is not spreading now.
  3. Go back (Return) →\rightarrow The ship is going back to Rotterdam.

💡 Helpful Words for A2

WordMeaningExample from Text
EnoughAs much as neededDoes not have enough workers
StillContinuing nowStill waiting for doctors
SafeNot in dangerStay safe

Vocabulary Learning

many (adj.)
a large number of
Example:Many people came to the concert.
doctors (n.)
medical professionals who treat illnesses
Example:Doctors are checking the patients.
helping (v.)
providing assistance or aid
Example:She is helping her friend with homework.
people (n.)
human beings
Example:People in the city need clean water.
virus (n.)
a tiny infectious agent that can make people sick
Example:The virus can spread through the air.
ship (n.)
a large boat that travels on water
Example:The ship sailed across the ocean.
sick (adj.)
not healthy, ill
Example:He feels sick after eating too much.
stay (v.)
remain in a place
Example:They will stay at the hotel for a week.
safe (adj.)
free from danger or harm
Example:Keep the children safe during the storm.
called (v.)
named or referred to as
Example:The town is called Springfield.
man (n.)
an adult male person
Example:The man walked his dog.
woman (n.)
an adult female person
Example:The woman bought a new dress.
mice (n.)
small rodents
Example:Mice can be found in old barns.
trash (n.)
waste or garbage
Example:Please put the trash in the bin.
site (n.)
a place or location
Example:The construction site is busy.
move (v.)
to change position or location
Example:They will move to a new house.
close (adj.)
near in distance
Example:The shop is close to the school.
long (adj.)
extending for a great distance or duration
Example:It was a long journey.
machine (n.)
a device that performs work
Example:The machine makes coffee.
breathe (v.)
to take air into the lungs
Example:She needs to breathe deeply.
office (n.)
a place where work is done
Example:He works in an office.
workers (n.)
people who do jobs
Example:Workers build the bridge.
internet (n.)
a global network of computers
Example:You can find information on the internet.
lies (n.)
false statements
Example:He told many lies about the event.
hard (adj.)
difficult or challenging
Example:The test was hard for many students.