FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Sherry Bradley
(334) 206-5375
The Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) and the Alabama Environmental Health Association (AEHA) announce the winners of a video contest for high school-age Alabama students. The contest was designed to educate Alabamians about protecting themselves, their families, and their friends from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases such as the Zika virus.
The videos, produced by students ages 15-18, include basic information on what precautions to take to avoid mosquito breeding and bites. Award recipients were selected by a panel of judges comprised of AEHA board members.
Winners are as follows:
· First Place: Lakyn Shepard, Bob Jones High School, Madison, $1,000
· Second Place: Cassie Volkin, Bob Jones High School, Madison, $750
· Third Place: Faron High, Elba High School, Elba, $500
· Honorable Mentions: $100 Amaya Brisbon, Booker T. Washington Magnet High School, Montgomery; Hailey Gay, Homeschooled, Hillsboro; Chenoa Gentle, Bob Jones High School, Madison; Carley Sims, Huntsville High School, Huntsville
“These entertaining videos emphasize the need to eliminate standing water and other mosquito breeding sites, as well as ways to prevent mosquito bites,” Sherry Bradley, director of the Bureau of Environmental Services, said. “Mosquitoes that spread the Zika virus are aggressive daytime biters but will also bite at night, and currently there is no vaccine available.”
The prize-winning videos are highlighted on ADPH’s social media sites (Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus) and on adph.org/mosquito.
Information about the Zika virus is available at adph.org/mosquito.