RENTOKIL NORTH AMERICA ANNOUNCES MULTI-YEAR CONTRACT WITH CDC TO COMBAT ZIKA VIRUS

Reading, Pa. (June 17, 2016) - Rentokil North America, and its pest control companies Rentokil Steritech, Ehrlich, Presto-X, and Western Exterminator, have been awarded a contract by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct a vector control program to help control the species of mosquitoes that carry Zika virus. The requirements of the program are to provide pest control services for the term of two years, subject to government review. The anticipated period of performance runs June 3, 2016 through June 2, 2018.

The species of mosquito likely to carry Zika virus (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) are container-breeding mosquitoes that prefer to live in and around human dwellings. Rentokil North America will employ their network of more than 4,000 pest experts and technicians alongside their multifaceted team of technical resources to systematically target affected or high-risk areas. Additionally, a key component of the contract includes support services that entail community outreach, surveillance and inspection, and planning support for the distribution of materials and educational information.

“We’re pleased that the CDC has chosen to partner with us to support the fight against the spread of this very serious virus,” said John Myers, CEO of Rentokil North America. “Our business is focused on protecting people and enhancing lives and our involvement allows us to provide the areas affected most with our world-class service to protect those at risk from the dangers of this disease.”

According to the CDC, Zika virus is transmitted primarily to people through the bite of infected mosquitoes, although sexual transmission has also been documented. There is currently no vaccine or treatment for Zika. The most common symptoms of Zika are fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis (red eyes). In previous outbreaks, the illness has typically been mild with symptoms lasting for several days to a week after being bitten by an infected mosquito. However, the Zika virus infection in pregnant women can result in microcephaly and other severe fetal brain defects. Zika also has been linked to Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon sickness of the nervous system in which a person’s immune system damages the nerve cells, causing muscle weakness and sometimes paralysis.

For additional information on preventing the spread of Zika, mosquito prevention, and treatment, please visit www.rentokil-steritech.com and www.cdc.gov/zika/.

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About Rentokil North America:
Rentokil North America, which also owns pest control brands Rentokil Steritech, Western Exterminator, Presto-X Pest Control and Ehrlich Pest Control, provides commercial and residential pest control to customers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico through its expertly trained team of technicians. Rentokil North America’s approach focuses on a technician-customer partnership to ensure the highest quality pest control service which includes a comprehensive pest management solution encompassing pest control, termite and bed bug inspections, vegetation management, bird management solutions, mosquito control, and fumigations. Rentokil North America is a division of Rentokil Initial plc. a leading business services company, operating globally in more than 66 countries. For more information, visit www.rentokil-steritech.com.

About the CDC:
CDC works 24/7 to protect America from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. To accomplish our mission, CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects our nation against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise.

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This release was published on openPR.