Iyiola Oladunjoye, One Health Research Coordinator at Rouleaux Foundation organised the Do-it-Yourself Outbreak Exhibit of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History at Yaba College of Technology Secondary School. In this article, Adesoyin Aderanti Ayomide highlights the significance of youth involvement in tackling outbreak through science communication.

Microbes have long been a force to reckon with as they have been a significant determinant of man’s life span for centuries. Their ubiquitous nature and unique genetic make-up enable them to invade and infect humans. In some cases, microbial infections could span globally (a phenomenon known as a pandemic). The year 2020 brought the globe a shared affliction and difficulty, and the entire world went on a mandatory work leave attributable to the viral pandemic of the SARS Coronavirus (one of a myriad of microbes). For months, the globe was on lockdown, the economy was at risk, and health officials mobilised to combat the outbreak until the pandemic was contained. Looking back on how the pandemic was handled, it is essential to emphasise that the duty of combating the pandemic did not rest only on the tireless efforts of health professionals. It was a mutual obligation that included you and me. It was a collaborative endeavour in which everyone, from the destitute to those in charge, played crucial roles. To prevent further spread, the public sector was required to help in obtaining accurate information regarding quarantine, isolation, treatment and reporting of new cases. It took the entire community to combat the pandemic. This also demonstrated the relevance of knowledge and awareness in tackling pandemics.

Based on disease trends, the emergence and reemergence of infectious diseases are bound to occur. The monkeypox virus, for example, is a re-emerging infectious disease and, like the coronavirus, the virus can cause a disruption in the global economy and severely test international crisis management systems. This is due to various factors, including the discontinuation of smallpox vaccination, which has resulted in a steady decline in population immunity against orthopoxvirus. Furthermore, the influenza virus’s potential as a cause of a worldwide pandemic is high due to its many subtypes and evolving strains, demonstrating that infectious illnesses can no longer be avoided. While health professionals labour relentlessly to develop a generic vaccine, the importance of the local community in combating infectious diseases cannot be overemphasised.

What role does the local community play?

Iyiola Oladunjoye, the American Society for Microbiology‘s Young Ambassador of Science to Nigeria and One Health Research Coordinator at Rouleaux Foundation with research interests in infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance, vaccinology and pandemic prevention assembled a team of volunteers in various sectors of health and biological sciences at one of the most popular secondary schools (Yaba College of Technology Secondary School) in Lagos, Nigeria on July 18, 2022. This is all in his quest to enlighten the public on the community’s role during a pandemic. They educated approximately 200 students on One Health, infectious diseases, vaccination, the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and well-defined measures to prevent and contain pandemics. They leveraged the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History’s Do-it-Yourself (DIY) Exhibit. By utilising the “Outbreak – Epidemics in a Connected World” panels, they raised awareness about human, animal, and environmental contributions to developing and current infectious diseases.

The DIY exhibit was planned by a team of young professionals and students led by Iyiola Oladunjoye, a current Erasmus Mundus Scholar (Joint Master Degree in Leading International Vaccinology Education); Blessing Chukwuma, a parasitologist at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Foundation; Rafiat Akinokun, a public health nurse and Women Deliver Young Leader; Adesoye Ronke, an MSc student of Environmental Microbiology at the University of Lagos; Adesoyin Aderanti, a final year student of Microbiology from Obafemi Awolowo University, Peter Omoregha, a final year student of the Department of Microbiology, Federal University Otuoke, Oluwatunmise Aiyedogbon, a graduate of Microbiology from Kogi State University, Akpan Friday, a final year student of Microbiology from the University of Abuja, Hope Akegbe, a Microbiologist at EnvironQuest, Yusuf Amuda Tajudeen, a global health researcher and Adetunbi Adewunmi, Public Relations Officer at Yaba College of Technology. The team cooperated to thoroughly explain the 18 panels to the students after sorting them based on their interests.

Each of the 18 panels discussed different issues of concern during pandemics. Some were concerned with the environment, while others were focused on the impact of animals and people in infectious disease patterns. However, the significance of all parts and how they are interwoven was emphasized to reinforce the One Health concept, which aims to bridge the gap between the three components.

The first panel introduced students to the concepts of epidemics and pandemics. The students learned more about the dreaded coronavirus and how health officials uncovered its infection mechanism and developed vaccines to mitigate its spread in the second panel. The second panel also emphasized the necessity of effective vaccination and the early detection of novel viral variants that might be resistant to existing vaccines. During this panel, students raised various questions, including why individuals continue to contract the virus after vaccination. Students’ awareness was drawn to the existence of other viral strains and the measures health officials are taking to combat them. In the third panel, students learned about the influenza virus’s potential as a pandemic agent. The fourth panel guided students through measures to contain outbreaks. The fifth panel, on the other hand, utilized Bangladesh as a case study to demonstrate to students how the exploitation of the One Health principle assisted the densely populated country combat infectious diseases.

The sixth panel highlighted the roles of the students in ensuring that international organisations emerge victorious in the fight against infectious diseases. The students understood that the fight against diseases requires collective efforts and that they had a significant role to play. They were also exhorted to disseminate the knowledge to their peers, the same way the volunteers did with them. The seventh panel educated students on the adverse impact of fear, rumour, and false information on pandemics. In the eighth panel, students recognised the impact of herd immunity (vaccination of most community members against a few) on the spread of infectious diseases. Rafiat Akinokun, incorporating her Women Deliver Young Leader Project, ‘Youths Against HIV Discrimination (YAHD)’ used a panel to extensively describe HIV prevention and control, as well as the importance of avoiding stigma and discrimination of HIV/AIDS. This is particularly important in the Nigerian community due to the growing threat of HIV infection among Adolescent and Young People, most especially Adolescent and Young Women in Nigeria. The other panels focused on antibiotic resistance and several critical features of outbreaks.

The pupils had many concerns that lasted up to two hours, and each was addressed in primary, succinct language. The six onsite volunteers also spoke to the children about their varied career options and educated them on how they could make a difference in the health and biological sciences.

Youths are said to be the leaders of tomorrow. For the sake of this article, it is logical to conclude that youths are today’s influencers and that a young child today will become tomorrow’s youth. Creating awareness at the grassroots level will help build a world where we all triumph against infectious diseases, and it all begins with you and me.

Keywords: Infectious Diseases Outbreaks; Pandemics; Science Outreach; American Society for Microbiology; Rouleaux Foundation.