JohnsonDiversey Launches Fight Against Avian Flu

RACINE, Wis. -- With avian flu advancing across Asia

and appearing in the United States, JohnsonDiversey Inc. is partnering with

its customers across the globe to launch an offensive against the spread of

the virus. The effort includes offering products that are registered by the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and proven effective against avian

influenza.

A global leader in the commercial cleaning and hygiene industry,

JohnsonDiversey is working with customers in the intensive livestock and

poultry processing, quick service restaurant and retail industries to stop the

spread of this dangerous virus.

"In 2003, JohnsonDiversey was at the forefront of the fight against SARS,

working in partnership with our customers in the Asia-Pacific region and

around the world to implement the most effective cleaning and disinfecting

strategies," said Greg Lawton, JohnsonDiversey president and CEO. "Following

the SARS outbreak, we used our front-line experience to customize a total

solution of products, training, hygiene protocols and up-to-date information

for individual countries and customer types. This aggressive strategy is now

being applied to the fight against avian flu."

JohnsonDiversey customers are responding quickly and forcefully to the

threat of avian flu, Lawton said.

"Our leading Asia-Pacific-based customers in the affected industries have

said fighting avian flu and giving their customers confidence is their number

one priority," said Lawton, who recently toured customer facilities in the

Asia-Pacific region.

Across the world in food plants, restaurants, retail food outlets and

health care facilities, JohnsonDiversey solution providers are training

customers in infection control protocols and effective product application

techniques to avoid further spread of the virus.

Based on infection control strategies that proved effective in last year's

battle against SARS, JohnsonDiversey's program consists of a four-pronged

attack against the virus.

1. Detailed protocols developed for specific customer types in regions

around the world. Consistent with World Health Organization recommendations,

JohnsonDiversey's protocols include strong hygienic practices for

the proper handling of poultry, disinfection of surfaces, and

thorough handwashing. For food-related customers, JohnsonDiversey

offers a "farm to fork" approach that applies bio-security and food-

safety practices along the entire food chain. This approach begins

by applying these safe practices at hatcheries and chicken farms, as

well as at slaughter houses and food-processing plants. Ultimately,

these protocols are applied to poultry sold to food retail and

restaurant locations around the world.

2. Vigorous customer training for controlling the spread of infectious

disease

JohnsonDiversey has launched a campaign to provide training on

effective cleaning and hygienic practices for hundreds of customers

across Asia as well as North America and Europe. During the height

of the SARS battle in 2003, JohnsonDiversey trained customers

worldwide in the retail, health care, hospitality and food

processing industries, affecting the practices of thousands of their

employees around the world.

3. Products specifically tested and proven effective against avian

influenza

To swiftly fulfill heightened demand, JohnsonDiversey increased the

availability and distribution of all key products used in the fight

against infectious disease. JohnsonDiversey has five products

registered by the U.S. EPA as effective against avian influenza.

These products include the Virex disinfectants: Virex 128,

Virex II 256, and Virex Tb. Additional products include

Forward DC disinfectant cleaner and Expose II 256, a

phenolic disinfectant for hard surfaces. These five products are

widely available for use in the United States and the Asia-Pacific

regions.

4. Infection control Web site that serves as a clearinghouse of current

information about both avian flu and SARS

JohnsonDiversey last year launched a widely recognized SARS Web site

that was populated with up-to-date information, links and procedures

for controlling the spread of disease. The site has been expanded

this year to include information and protocols for fighting avian

flu, and provides current links on avian flu and SARS. Visit the

site at http://www.johnsondiversey.com .

Source: JohnsonDiversey Inc.