World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (WAAW) 2024
WAAW is an annual 7-day global campaign in November aimed at raising awareness and creating better understanding of Antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR is a significant global health risk. It occurs when microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi adapt to withstand the effects of antimicrobial medications, making infections harder to manage and treat.
This year's theme is 'Educate.Advocate.Act now' which is important to e-Bug as we aim to educate the future generation of children and young people about this health threat and prepare them to use antimicrobials responsibly to keep them working and reduce infections.
See below for all related e-Bug resources, which include both community and classroom activities, to be involved in WAAW this November.
Microbes
We cannot talk about antimicrobial resistance without understanding what microbes are and how they cause infection.
Lessons
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KS1 - Introduction to Microbes
KS2 - Introduction to Microbes
KS3 - Introduction to Microbes
KS4 - Introduction to Microbes
KS2 - Useful Microbes
KS3 - Useful Microbes
KS4 - Useful Microbes
KS2 - Harmful Microbes
KS3 - Harmful Microbes
KS4 - Harmful Microbes
Infection prevention
As infections are caused by harmful microbes, the way we can protect ourselves and stop the spread is by infection prevention. Infection prevention is key to reducing the use of antimicrobials.
Lessons
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Early Years - Hand Hygiene
KS1 - Hand Hygiene
KS2 - Hand Hygiene
KS3 - Hand Hygiene
Early Years - Respiratory Hygiene
KS1 - Respiratory Hygiene
KS2 - Respiratory Hygiene
KS3 - Respiratory Hygiene
KS4 - Hand and Respiratory Hygiene
Early Years - Oral Hygiene
KS1 - Oral Hygiene
KS2 - Oral Hygiene
KS2 - Animal and Farm Hygiene
KS2 - Food Hygiene
KS3 - Food Hygiene (SafeConsume)
KS4 - Food Hygiene (SafeConsume)
KS3 - Sexually Transmitted Infections
KS4 - Sexually Transmitted Infections
KS2 - Vaccinations
KS3 - Vaccinations
KS4 - Vaccinations
Treating infection
Treating infection is part of infection control. As bacteria are becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, it is important to know and understand how to reduce this.
Lessons
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KS2 - Antibiotics
KS3 - Antibiotic use and Antimicrobial Resistance
KS4 - Antibiotic use and Antimicrobial Resistance
What are the benefits of e-Bug resources during WAAW?
- e-Bug resources have activities that advocate education about antibiotics, their proper use and awareness of antimicrobial resistance
- All e-Bug lesson plans are designed to educate the future generation about microbes, how to protect against harmful microbes and prevent infection, to raise awareness of AMR and how to antibiotics responsibly
- All materials are tailored to different age groups (3-16), ensuring information is accessible for all students from primary to secondary school levels
- The lesson plans are accredited by the Association for Science Education (ASE) and are mapped to the National Curriculum
For more information on how to use the e-Bug teaching resources, access here
Topics Include
- Introduction to microbes
- Useful microbes
- Harmful microbes
- Hand hygiene
- Respiratory hygiene
- Oral hygiene
- Food hygiene
- Animal and farm hygiene
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Vaccinations
- Antibiotics and antimicrobial resistance