Welcome to Learning English, a daily 30 minute program from the Voice of America.

I'm Ashley Thompson.

And I'm Mario Ritter Jr.

This program is designed for English learners,

so we speak a little slower

and we use words and phrases especially written for people learning English.

On today's program, Onimeteo reports on rising polio cases in Pakistan. We tell you about this year's

baseball world series. then Terms for Halloween on Everyday

Everyday Grammar.

And finally, the Lesson of the Day.

But first...

In Pakistan, polio cases are rising, ahead of a new vaccination campaign.

Violence targeting health workers has also hurt years of efforts toward making the

country polio free. The World Health Organization says polio is a highly

infectious disease caused by a virus. The disease largely affects children under age 5. The virus is

transmitted from person to person and spread mainly through contact.

It invades the nervous system and causes a person to be unable to move arms, legs, or muscles, a condition called

paralysis. Among those paralyzed, up to 10% die when their breathing muscles become

immobilized.

Since January, health officials have confirmed 39 new polio cases in Pakistan.

Compared to only six last year, said Anwaru Haak, he is with the National Emergency

Operation Center for polioio Eradication.

...