2019 brought decade’s highest reported cases of
rare mosquito-borne illness EEEV
Terminix, a leading provider of termite and pest control
services and a ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) company, cautions
Americans living in communities impacted by mosquito-borne
illnesses that, despite cooling autumn temperatures, they should
remain vigilant in preventing mosquito bites that can transmit
serious infections.
This press release features multimedia. View
the full release here:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191008005845/en/
Mosquitoes can survive and reproduce when outdoor temperatures
are as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that for much of
the United States, mosquitoes may remain active into autumn and
even year-round. In 2019 alone, more than 30 cases of the Eastern
Equine Encephalitis virus (EEEV) have been reported in states
including Michigan, Connecticut and Florida – the most cases of the
rare, serious illness in more than a decade, resulting in several
deaths. Because the risk of mosquito bites that transmit EEEV and
other mosquito-borne illnesses such as West Nile persists,
homeowners should continue to take steps to help protect themselves
and their families.
“As an industry leader, we believe it is important to raise
awareness of simple steps families can take to help reduce the risk
of mosquito bites that can transmit illness – even after summer
ends,” said Matthew Stevenson, president of Terminix Residential.
“Terminix provides a variety of solutions to help significantly
reduce the population of mosquitoes around homes and yards,
including Terminix Quick Guard® Mosquito Service.”
Prominent Mosquito-Borne Illnesses
Disease Name
Carrying Mosquito Species
Regions Impacted
Symptoms
Eastern Equine Encephalitis
Virus
Bridge vector species, such as Aedes,
coquillettidia, and Culex sp. mosquitoes
The Americas and Caribbean. In the United
States, primarily reported along the Gulf Coast, East Coast and
Great Lakes.
Fever, headache, vomiting, muscle aches,
joint pain and fatigue. In rare cases, infection occurs in the
brain and spinal cord leading to sudden high fever, stiff neck,
disorientation, seizures and coma.
West Nile Virus
Culex sp. mosquitoes
North America, Africa, Europe, the Middle
East, and West Asia.
Fever, headache, body aches, skin rash and
swollen lymph nodes.
Chikungunya
- Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito)
- Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito)
Africa, Asia, Europe, the Indian and
Pacific Oceans, and Puerto Rico.
Fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may
include headaches, muscle pain, swelling joints or rashes.
Dengue Fever
- Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito)
- Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito)
Central and South America, Africa, the
Middle East, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and Puerto Rico.
High fever, rash and muscle and joint
pain. In severe cases, serious bleeding and shock.
Zika Virus
- Aedes albopictus (Asian Tiger Mosquito)
- Aedes aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito)
Central and South America, Puerto Rico, US
Virgin Islands, Africa, and South Asia.
Fever, rash, joint pain and red eyes.
Malaria
- Anopheles quadrimaculatus and Anopheles freeborni
Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Central and
South America, Haiti, Dominican Republic.
Chills, high fever, profuse sweating,
headache, nausea,
vomiting and abdominal pain.
Source: U.S. Center for Disease Control, American Mosquito
Control Association, World Health Organization, Atlas of Human
Infectious Diseases
“It is important that homeowners take steps to help reduce their
risk of mosquito bites,” said Dr. Angela Tucker, B.C.E., Terminix
Manager, Technical Services. “The CDC recommends wearing long
sleeves and pants and using mosquito repellents to reduce the risk
of mosquito bites. Be aware of mosquito activity when traveling
inside the continental United States as some areas have mosquito
activity all year. If you are traveling outside the U.S., follow
the CDC traveler guidelines to prevent mosquito bites.”
Homeowners can follow these simple steps to help reduce mosquito
populations that can bite and transmit disease near their home:
- Keep lawns and landscape trimmed and free of debris.
Mosquitoes look for shaded and undisturbed places, like overgrown
landscapes, to rest. Continue proper lawn maintenance even after
summer months end.
- Change water sources weekly. Mosquitoes need only a
small amount of water to lay their eggs and reproduce. Empty items
that hold water, such as bird baths, tire swings and dog bowls,
regularly to reduce opportunities for mosquito reproduction.
- Remove sources of standing water. Items left on the lawn
or near the house, such as lawn furniture, wood piles or buckets,
can create harborage sites for mosquitoes. Declutter property to
reduce the number of places mosquitoes can breed.
- Keep gutters clear. Maintaining the gutter system is an
important step in mosquito control, as blocked gutters can hold
water that allows mosquitoes to reproduce. Ensure gutters are
cleared of fallen leaves and other natural debris – especially as
autumn leaves begin to fall.
- Use fans in outdoor seating areas. Because mosquitoes
are naturally weak fliers, they tend to avoid flying in windy
conditions. Use a fan when sitting outdoors to help deter these
pests.
For more information on helping protect your home and family
from mosquitoes, visit Terminix.com or call 1-800-TERMINIX.
About Terminix
Terminix is the leading provider of termite and pest control
services in the United States. Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn.,
Terminix services approximately 2.8 million residential and
commercial customers in 47 states and 18 countries. Terminix
provides pest control services and protection against termites,
rodents and other pests. Terminix is a business unit of
ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc. (SERV), a leading provider of
essential residential and commercial services. Terminix is the
Official Pest Control Partner of Minor League Baseball™. To learn
more about Terminix, visit Terminix.com.
About ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster (NYSE: SERV) solves the homeowner’s dilemma. Every
day, we visit tens of thousands of homes and businesses through our
extensive service network of expert professionals. Our
well-recognized brands include AmeriSpec (home inspections),
Copesan (commercial national accounts pest management), Furniture
Medic (furniture and cabinet repair), Merry Maids (residential
cleaning), ServiceMaster Clean (commercial cleaning), ServiceMaster
Restore (restoration and reconstruction), Terminix (termite and
pest control), and Terminix Commercial (commercial termite and pest
control). Like, follow or visit us at facebook.com/ServiceMaster,
linkedin.com/ServiceMaster,twitter.com/ServiceMaster, or
servicemaster.com. ServiceMaster is the Official Home Services
Provider of Minor League Baseball™.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20191008005845/en/
Drew Blake | 901.201.7151 | drew.blake@servicemaster.com
Sean Lynch | 612.455.8575 | sean.lynch@icfnext.com
ServiceMaster Global (NYSE:SERV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2024 to May 2024
ServiceMaster Global (NYSE:SERV)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2023 to May 2024