RACINE, Wisconsin, Feb. 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, given the rising global outbreak of Zika, SC Johnson announced it will donate at least $15 million over the next year to provide products to help needy families combat the mosquitoes that may carry the disease. As the world's leading manufacturer of pest control products, including OFF!^®, Raid^®, Autan^® and Baygon^®, SC Johnson will partner with international NGOs and health foundations to provide personal insect repellents, spatial repellents and household insecticides. SC Johnson will also provide cash contributions to cover logistics, distribution and educational materials. Numerous countries are experiencing outbreaks of Zika and dengue fever, and both diseases continue to spread.

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"The people who work at SCJ and I feel a strong commitment to helping ensure pest control products are provided to help protect needy families from the mosquitoes that may carry these diseases," said SC Johnson Chairman and CEO Fisk Johnson. "Since the Zika outbreak began in Brazil and has spread to other countries, we have ramped up our global production to help ensure an adequate supply of our products is available in stores, and more importantly, for a donation such as this. We are proud that this donation will help those who are especially vulnerable to the dangers of mosquito-borne diseases."

Earlier this month, the family company donated 54,000 units of insect repellent to the County of Hawaii Civil Defense Agency. The county has been experiencing a dengue fever outbreak since late 2015 and into early 2016. Discussions are underway with partners to provide assistance to Latin America and the Caribbean to help protect from the mosquito that may carry disease, such as the Zika outbreaks in some of those countries.

For more than 50 years, SC Johnson entomologists have studied insects at the Entomology Research Center in Racine, Wis., the world's largest private, urban entomology research center. In addition to its research expertise, the company has ramped up the production of pest control products to meet increased demand in response to mosquito-borne Zika virus and dengue fever outbreaks. SC Johnson currently operates in more than 70 countries and sells products in virtually every country around the world. 

Tips for Protecting Your Family

Personal repellents containing active ingredients like DEET and Picaridin, which are applied to exposed areas of skin and clothing, are an important line of defense. With any repellent, it's important for families to read the label first, follow the instructions, and choose the repellent that's best for their needs.  

Around the home, twice a week remove habitats where mosquitoes can breed – namely, standing containers of water. Individuals should empty, clean or cover containers such as buckets, flower pots, old tires, or toys to remove or destroy mosquito habitats. They can also make it harder for mosquitoes to come into their homes by covering any gaps in windows or doors, and making sure screens on windows and doors are working properly, or are patched.  

Individuals can further minimize exposure to mosquito bites by wearing light-colored, long-sleeved shirts and long pants, socks, and hats. Tucking in shirts, and tucking pants into socks, also decreases the chances of getting bitten. If the sleeping area is exposed to the outdoors, individuals should use a bed net and cover baby carriers as well.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) both recommend a mix of tactics to prevent mosquito bites. For more information about mosquito-borne disease prevention, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website and SC Johnson's Resource Center.

About SC Johnson
SC Johnson is a family company dedicated to innovative, high-quality products, excellence in the workplace and a long-term commitment to the environment and the communities in which it operates. Based in the USA, the company is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household cleaning products and products for home storage, air care, pest control and shoe care, as well as professional products. It markets such well-known brands as GLADE®, KIWI®, OFF!®, PLEDGE®, RAID®, SCRUBBING BUBBLES®, SHOUT®, WINDEX® and ZIPLOC® in the U.S. and beyond, with brands marketed outside the U.S. including AUTAN®, TANA®, BAMA®, BAYGON®, BRISE®, KABIKILLER®, KLEAR®, MR MUSCLE® and RIDSECT®. The 130-year-old company, which generates $10 billion in sales, employs approximately 13,000 people globally and sells products in virtually every country around the world. www.scjohnson.com

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