WiRED’s Evidence-based Training Modules for Infectious Diseases
Understanding Communicable Diseases, 2 parts. This two-part module presents an overview of infection control, preparedness and modes of transmission and discusses the role of CHWs in addressing infectious diseases.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe what an infectious disease is
- Identify different modes of transmission of infectious disease and how it spreads
- Recognize signs and symptoms of infectious disease
- Explain methods of information and resource-gathering to help prepare for an infectious disease outbreak
Infection Prevention and Control The World Health Organization (WHO) offers practical and proven organizational and technical approaches and measures to prevent the spread of avoidable infections and antimicrobial resistance within both community and healthcare settings. This module examines the WHO guidelines.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe the difference between an outbreak, an epidemic and a pandemic
- Identify prevention and control measures in a clinical setting, to slow the spread of infectious diseases
Infectious Disease Control, The Role of CHWs This module provides a basic community preparedness outline for healthcare workers in infectious disease outbreaks. It helps healthcare workers understand their role in protecting the healthcare workforce and the community at large.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Understand the specific language used to describe infectious disease
- Identify sensitization techniques and safety measures to control infectious disease outbreaks
- Understand how to implement safety precautions and use equipment appropriately to reduce the spread of infection
Mode of Transmission: Airborne Infectious Diseases This module provides a definition of airborne diseases, their causes and outbreaks and teaches CHWs how to protect themselves and their communities from contracting these illnesses.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Describe airborne disease, causes and methods of transmission
- Understand methods of infection prevention and control for general and home settings
- Identify signs and symptoms of airborne illness
Mode of Transmission: Direct Contact Infectious Diseases This module defines contact diseases, their transmission and causes of outbreaks and outlines how to protect against these illnesses.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Define a contact disease
- Describe the transmission and causes of a contact disease outbreak
- Identify measures to protect yourself and your community from contracting a contact disease
Mode of Transmission: Vector-borne Infectious Diseases This module discusses the viruses, bacteria and parasites transmitted by mosquitoes, ticks, fleas and other living organisms that lead to vector-borne illnesses such as malaria and dengue, as well as the risks, control and elimination of these illnesses.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Define vector-borne diseases and identify the living organisms that transmit disease
- Describe the three most significant vectors and diseases they transmit
- Identify risk factors that can affect vector-borne disease transmission
- Describe methods and steps to prevent the spread of disease and control infection
Mode of Transmission: Waterborne Infectious Diseases This module defines waterborne diseases such as cholera and diarrhea, their causes and outbreaks, how to protect against them and discusses the role that water and sanitation play in their transmission.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Define waterborne disease, categories and causes of an outbreak
- Recognize methods to protect yourself and your family from contracting waterborne disease
- Identify signs and symptoms of waterborne disease
- Implement treatment for waterborne disease
- Identify interventions to prevent waterborne disease
Mode of Transmission: Food-borne Infectious Diseases This module provides a definition of food-borne diseases, their transmission through contaminated food, how to protect against these illnesses and how to prepare for outbreaks.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Define foodborne disease, types and methods of transmission
- List the major foodborne disease hazards
- Identify methods to protect against foodborne disease
- Recognize signs and symptoms of foodborne disease
Emerging Infectious Diseases for Community Health Professionals This module discusses the terminology of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases and their prevention, causes, occurrences and contributing factors as well as the concept of One Health.
Objectives. At the completion of this module, you will be able to:
- Understand epidemiology in the context of infectious disease transmission and the Epidemiologic Triangle
- Define One health and its impact on disease transmission
- Identify types of disease reservoirs
- Recognize factors contributing to emergence of disease
- Learn how to protect yourself and others from disease
WiRED’s Infectious Disease Related Animations
WiRED created the Infectious Disease Prevention and Treatment Series of animations in rapid response to the abrupt and damaging cuts to global health programs. With medicines, vaccines and health infrastructures now severely limited, WiRED mobilized its medical writers to develop a strategic set of animations designed to engage students and their families in the learning process. Together, these modules offer a broad range of essential tools for infectious disease prevention and basic home care.
This animation explains what infectious diseases are (caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and outlines crucial steps for prevention (like hand washing and mosquito nets), homecare when sick, and the vital role of Community Health Workers. The script concludes with a call to action for the students to share this knowledge to build healthier communities.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms
This animation educates families in low-resource communities on how to recognize signs and symptoms of illness like persistent fever, worsening cough, or confusion to determine when to seek help instead of relying only on home care. It strongly emphasizes the crucial role of Community Health Workers (CHWs), who are trained to recognize danger signs, provide simple treatments, and refer patients to clinics or hospitals when necessary, serving as the essential link to care.
Personal Hygiene and Healthy Living
This animation details essential habits for personal hygiene and healthy living—including proper handwashing to block germs, maintaining a balanced diet, getting exercise and sleep, and avoiding harmful substances—to help individuals in resource-limited settings prevent disease and stay strong. The module emphasizes that these small, daily actions protect the individual and the community, and it highlights Community Health Workers (CHW) as a vital resource for health information and support.
Water Sanitation and Purification
This animation emphasizes the critical importance of safe water, which can carry invisible germs causing illnesses like cholera and typhoid, and instructs viewers on three simple household methods—SODIS (Solar Water Disinfection), boiling, and chlorine treatment—to purify water by killing these germs. It encourages individuals to utilize these methods, seek assistance from Community Health Workers for support and supplies, and work toward community-level solutions for water safety.
This animation explains that cholera is a dangerous illness caused by bacteria in contaminated water or food, which leads to severe, potentially life-threatening dehydration by causing the body to rapidly lose water and salts. The animation then empowers students with prevention steps—like safe water practices, handwashing, and proper latrine use—and stresses the life-saving importance of immediate Oral Rehydration Solution (ORS) treatment and the support provided by Community Health Workers (CHWs).
