UTB Conducted Zika Awareness Talk
A talk was held today at Universiti Teknologi Brunei (UTB) to raise awareness on the Zika virus and educate staff and students on ways to prevent it. The talk is part of the Zika Awareness Programme, which was initiated by the University to complement current efforts of preventing Zika. It is also aimed at preparing UTB student volunteers who will be embarking on community outreach activities to increase awareness on the Virus amongst the local communities. The talk was delivered by a Medical Officer from the Ministry of Health.
In the talk, the Medical Officer stressed that the prevention of Zika is a collective responsibility of all, and everyone has an important role to play in the effort. As the Zika virus can be transmitted by infected mosquitoes, getting rid of mosquito breeding places such as stagnant water in containers, flower pots and drains is key to its prevention. He also added that a clean environment does not only prevent mosquitoes, but also other pests that could carry diseases. At a personal level, the use of insect repellent, wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and trousers are some of the ways to avoid mosquito bites.
The Zika Awareness Programme was jointly organized by the Health, Safety & Environment Unit (HSE) and the Student Representative Council of UTB.
