Unique Chicago Mosquito Public Awareness Campaign Provides Disease Education and Prevention Tips

SCHAUMBURG, Ill., May 13, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning May 13 through June 6, just in time for warmer weather, Chicagoans will take notice of the 4.5-ft. by 4-ft. by 10.5-ft. mosquito perched atop the bus shelter at State and Lake Streets. The effort is part of a public awareness campaign to educate Chicagoans about the potentially deadly diseases the "World's Deadliest" insect can spread, and aims to provide tips for preventing exposure and transmission.

In addition to the mosquito, the bus shelter will feature facts comparing the impact of mosquitoes against some of nature's threats more commonly viewed as the deadliest in the world. Additional sidewalk display panels will appear across Chicago to promote the campaign and highlight the threat posed by mosquitoes through the spread of disease, including the West Nile and Zika viruses. Locations include: Michigan and Chicago Avenues; Michigan Ave. and Van Buren St.; Michigan Ave. and Monroe St.; and Western Ave. and Harrison St. The panels direct viewers to a website, www.mosquito-awareness.com, where they can learn more about how to protect their families and communities as mosquito season arrives and populations explode.

"We really wanted to capture people's attention with the larger-than-life mosquito and use the stopping power as an opportunity to educate the public about issues that can affect their health," said John Neberz, Business Manager, Vector Division at Central Life Sciences. The Schaumburg-based company is a leading manufacturer of insect-control solutions, and it developed the campaign to help promote public awareness. The campaign also provides mosquito abatement professionals with free posters, door hangers and pamphlets to use within their communities.

He continued, "Especially with the advent of emerging diseases such as Zika, in addition to already established ones such as West Nile and Chikungunya, it's important for families to do everything they can to increase their knowledge about protecting themselves. This includes better understanding the essential role of mosquito abatement and public health officials, and knowing who they can contact in their community."

Mosquitoes pick up and carry disease pathogens and can transmit them to humans through their bites. Individuals including the very young, elderly and those with chronic diseases could be at higher risk of side effects from these diseases. The campaign provides information on arboviruses including:

• Zika virus
• West Nile virus
• Dengue
• St. Louis Encephalitis virus
• Chikungunya
• Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEEV)

The bus shelter and other public displays were designed by local advertising agency Celtic Chicago to create awareness about the campaign and its central website, www.mosquito-awareness.com. The website was launched with the goal of providing information and tips about what families can do to help protect themselves from mosquito-borne diseases and steps they can take to help stop them from spreading. Visitors to the site can also access a custom section where they enter their ZIP code to receive contact information for the nearest mosquito abatement district and public health department in their community, which they can contact to learn about local control efforts. For mosquito abatement and public health professionals, the site also features a portal to request free educational resources customized with their logo and information for use in their local communities.

There is also a link to the "World's Deadliest" Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheWorldsDeadliest which provides daily content relevant to mosquito disease control and prevention and invites users to join the conversation using #MosquitoThreat.

About Central Life Sciences

Central Life Sciences products are a part of Central Garden & Pet Company CENT CENTA. Central Life Sciences is dedicated to creating healthier environments and making life better for people, plants and companion animals around the world. As inventors of insect growth regulator technology more than 35 years ago, the founders of Central Life Sciences pioneered biorational pest control: using the insect's chemistry as a means to reduce pest populations. To learn more about Central Life Sciences, visit www.centrallifesciences.com or call 1-800-248-7763.

Central Life Sciences with design is a registered trademark of Central Garden & Pet Company.

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SOURCE Central Life Sciences