The Public Health Agency has launched a new, educational tool to encourage people to be careful with antibiotic use – and that includes children and young people.
e-Bug is a free health education resource for teachers, which aims to reduce antibiotic resistance by helping children and young people understand infections and the appropriate use of antibiotics.
Hannah Gamble, Programme Manager for Infection, Prevention and Control said: “Overuse of antibiotics leads to antimicrobial resistance or AMR. AMR means antibiotics are becoming less effective at treating the bacterial infections they are needed for. If we continue to use antibiotics this way, we could face a return to the days before antibiotics were available, when people died from minor infections and where the risk of infection made even simple surgery life threatening.
“Antibiotic resistance is something that affects everyone, and it is the next generation that could face an adult life without effective antibiotics, so it’s important for children and young people to learn about antibiotics, so they can play their part and take steps to help keep antibiotics working now and in the future.
“e-Bug is a free, online educational resource for teachers covering the topics of microbiology, hygiene and health. It teaches children and young people in key stage one to key stage five about microorganisms and the spread, prevention and treatment of infection and it is mapped to the Northern Ireland Curriculum.
“e-bug will reinforce key messages on immunity, vaccines, careful antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistance.”
Why should teachers consider using e-Bug?
e-Bug resources are research based and have been developed by UK Health Security Agency in collaboration with teachers, health professionals and students.
What is provided?
- Background information on the topic
- Detailed lesson plans
- Pupil Worksheets
- Variety of fun activities to engage students
To find out more see www.e-bug.eu/en-xi
