Attachments
Foreword
Through the 2016 declared outbreak of Zika, the bite of an infected Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus mosquito grew even more hazardous. These same Aedes mosquitoes that transmit Zika also transmit dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever, diseases that affect all segments of society but with particular impact on the poorest and most vulnerable. Diseases caused by the Aedes mosquitoes result in hundreds of thousands of deaths each year – deaths which are largely preventable by eliminating mosquito breeding sites and interrupting human-to-mosquito contact.
In the battle against diseases like Zika and dengue, knowledge is power. Climate change is shifting the distribution of mosquitoes and to new areas. Empowering communities is essential in reaching and protecting the most vulnerable individuals and households. Vector control programmes, community empowerment and awareness campaigns are proven strategies to reduce the burden of vector-borne diseases. Red Cross and Red Crescent volunteers can play a key role in community and school outreach activities for Zika, dengue and chikungunya prevention. These community-based activities need to be sustained to ensure long-lasting disease control.
The Zika, dengue and chikungunya prevention modules and toolkit were developed to initiate a long-term engagement with the communities at risk through awareness and health promotion materials. National Societies and organizations at community level can contribute to sustained improvement of sanitation, reduction of mosquito breeding sites and increased level of knowledge on how to protect the community from mosquito-borne diseases such as Zika, dengue and chikungunya.
It is our hope that these materials will start the necessary conversations with communities and school communities to recognise that prevention is the best weapon in the battle against the threats posed by Aedes mosquitoes. We invite all partners within and outside the Movement to adapt and use these materials to empower your communities with the knowledge, skills and behaviour necessary to reduce vector-borne disease transmission for healthier and happier communities.
Toolkit
The Zika, dengue and chikungunya prevention toolkit is intended to be used with the Zika, dengue and chikungunya prevention modules.
The toolkit features full-colour imagery, interactive formats and games material to teach all audiences according to the methodology suggested in the module guides. All materials can be printed in colour or black/white and are of high resolution for those national societies wishing to enlarge and print posters and banners for other uses in their Zika, dengue and/or chikungunya prevention activities.