By Allison Kozicharow; Edited by Elizabeth Fine
Recognize. Respond. Reach Out. These are the watchwords that characterize WiRED International’s Infectious Disease Training Animations Series, which engages students, families and communities in behavioral prevention and healthy practices.
In response to the cuts in global health aid, WiRED fast-tracked the production of the animations — working with community health workers (CHWs) and medical teams — to involve regular community members in a consolidated effort to avoid the spread of illness. The animation series is being used in schools and extensively by CHWs in their community health training sessions.
Check out our animations to watch how they educate their audiences on how to prevent and recognize infectious diseases. Also, we welcome anyone interested in teaching about infectious disease to use these free animations in their training programs.
WiRED Animation Series
This animation explains what infectious diseases are (caused by bacteria, viruses, and parasites) and outlines crucial steps for prevention (such as hand washing and mosquito nets), home care when sick and the vital role of CHWs. The script concludes with a call to action for viewers 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 such as persistent fever and worsening cough or confusion to determine when to seek help instead of relying only on home care. The animation strongly emphasizes the crucial role of 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 practicing 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 animation emphasizes that these small, daily actions protect the individual and the community and highlights CHWs 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 such as cholera and typhoid. Viewers learn three simple household methods — SODIS (solar water disinfection), boiling and chlorine treatment — to purify water by killing these germs. The animation encourages individuals to use these methods, seek assistance from CHWs 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 — such as 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 CHWs.
WiRED is continually looking for ways to expand our tools, from revising and creating modules, making health videos and animations and sharpening our technological abilities (e.g., our HealthMAP app that delivers all our programs via mobile device). WiRED provides all of its educational resources for CHWs and for communities without charge. As WiRED continues on our ambitious path, we need and welcome your support!
