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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.

World Antimicrobial Awareness Week

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

Duration 50 min
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KS2 - Introduction to Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Introduction to Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Introduction to Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Useful Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Useful Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Useful Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Harmful Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Harmful Microbes

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Harmful Microbes

Duration 50 min

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

Duration 50 min

KS1 - Hand Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Hand Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Hand Hygiene

Duration 50 min

Early Years - Respiratory Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS1 - Respiratory Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Respiratory Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Respiratory Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Hand and Respiratory Hygiene

Duration 50 min

Early Years - Oral Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS1 - Oral Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Oral Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Animal and Farm Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Food Hygiene

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Food Hygiene (SafeConsume)

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Food Hygiene (SafeConsume)

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Sexually Transmitted Infections

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Sexually Transmitted Infections

Duration 50 min

KS2 - Vaccinations

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Vaccinations

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Vaccinations

Duration 50 min

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

Duration 50 min

KS3 - Antibiotic use and Antimicrobial Resistance

Duration 50 min

KS4 - Antibiotic use and Antimicrobial Resistance

Duration 50 min

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