UNC Hosts Zika Awareness Event

Bug spray and ice cream are an unusual pairing. But both were free during UNC’s Zika awareness event on Thursday. People lined up for their bottle of “Off” and scoop of ice cream alongside Chancellor Carol Folt.

“I have to admit, I said let’s do the ice cream because I wanted students to come and it’s summer and it’s always fun to share ice cream,” Folt said.

The sweet treat lured people to the seven booths set up outside the Student Union where representatives from the North Carolina Department of Health, UNC Ground Services, Campus Health Services and more were sharing information about the Zika Virus.

Mary Beth Koza, the director of environment, health and safety at UNC, said the event focused on eliminating people’s fears.

“We are creating a Zika awareness event. It’s for our faculty and staff and students to learn what it is, how to prevent it and to eliminate any fears.”

The event also included speeches from Folt and health professionals. More than 80 people crowded into an upstairs room of the Student Union, lined the walls and listened from the hallway to hear what they had to say.

“I’m so pleased to see everyone here. We have a wonderful group of people to talk about Zika virus. It’s an important topic, I know it’s been in the news a lot and is going to continue to be in the news, so this seemed like a good time for this event,” Folt said.

Joining Chancellor Folt on stage was Dr. Colleen Bridger, the Orange County Health Director and Dr. Aravinda de Silva, a professor of microbiology at UNC and a Zika researcher.

De Silva, who recently received a $50,000 pilot grant for his work on Zika, spoke about the virus’ specific impact on Chapel Hill.

“For the campus and the surrounding community, the biggest threat is for people who travel and get infected or from Zika endemic areas that come here.”

He said that although the type of mosquito that carries Zika can be found in North Carolina, it’s unlikely that many in the Triangle are carrying the disease.

“I think the risk is very low. The main vector is nearly absent in our community. Even if it does present in low numbers, the probability is really low.”

Dr. Randall Williams, the director of North Carolina health and human services, shared what is being done at the state level.

“We’re not waiting on any funding. We use resources within public health because that’s what we do. We’re always faced with emerging threats, so we’re working with entomologists who know the area well to identify the main carrier.”

The speakers answered questions from the audience that addressed travel concerns, the threat of birth defects and how to best prevent the virus’ spread.

In the audience was Chapel Hill Mayor Pam Hemminger who said she was relieved to get some answers.

“One of the things that makes Chapel Hill so special is that we have a lot of talented people that work and live here, and that’s pretty special for a small town.”

As Folt looks to the new school year, she said the University is still developing a plan to support and educate students about Zika.

“We haven’t figured out exactly what we’re going to do – probably integrate some things into orientation. I also think we need to see how it progresses.”

As scientists keep an eye on how Zika progresses, students and community members are advised to wear long sleeves, wear bug repellent, secure all screens and windows and avoid travel to Zika infected areas of pregnant.

More information can be found on the CDC’s website.