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<br /> <br />Folt holds panel on Zika virus <br />Noni Shemenski | Published 6/30/16 <br /> <br />Chancellor Folt hosted an event on Zika virus awareness Thursday. <br /> <br />The event included informational booths, guest speakers and a Q&A with the speakers. <br /> <br />“We want to give people as much information as possible to help them protect themselves and <br />the community,” Folt said. <br /> <br />Among those in attendance were researchers, professors, UNC employees, members of the <br />Chapel Hill community and students. <br /> <br />Junior Barbie Adams decided to attend as a precautionary measure before her trip to Jamaica, a <br />country affected by the virus. <br /> <br />“I know I’m always getting bit here so I can only imagine what will happen when I go over <br />there," Adam said. "Especially if the mosquitos are carrying the virus, I just want to prevent <br />(getting infected). <br /> <br />"Representatives from various university and state departments camped out in booths outside of <br />the Union to spread information and pass out fliers and bug repellent to attendees. <br /> <br />Chris Goodman, travel clinic coordinator for Campus Health, suggested to those traveling <br />abroad, especially to areas with active Zika transmission, to stop by the clinic for more <br />information about how to stay healthy during their travels. <br /> <br />David Stamilio, a professor from the department of obstetrics and gynecology, warned of the <br />threat Zika poses for pregnant women and how to prevent the sexual transmission of the virus. <br /> <br />Frank Stillo, an environmental specialist with the Office of Environment, Health and Safety, <br />urged students and university employees to report standing water to prevent mosquitos. Stillo <br />also told attendees how to control mosquitos. <br /> <br />Guest speakers then took the stage to share information about risk factors, how to prevent the <br />virus and what research UNC is doing on the virus. <br /> <br />Aravinda de Silva, a researcher from the UNC School of Medicine, said the school is currently <br />involved in research focusing on the virus and other associated viruses, such as yellow fever and <br />Japanese encephalitis. <br /> <br />“As an educational moment, this is fascinating,” Folt said.