Cintas Corp. released the 2025 Custodian of the Year contest finalists. This year’s finalists joining the grand prize winner in Las Vegas are Rosalio “Lio” Rodriguez from Sachse High School in Sachse, Texas, and Micaela “Mica” Ortiz Arredondo from William G. Hibbard Elementary in Chicago. The two custodians were each surprised with a ceremony at their respective schools by teachers, their families, and Cintas representatives. They received a US$1,000 cash prize and a trip for two to Las Vegas, where they’ll be celebrated during the ISSA Show North America. 

“The outpouring of community support for Lio and Mica, along with the other eight finalists, was a standout aspect of this year’s contest,” said Emily Ramos, Cintas director of marketing. “Their hard work and dedication truly stood out, and we look forward to honoring their achievements together at the ISSA Show in November.”

“Creating safe and welcoming spaces in schools wouldn’t be possible without the vital work of custodians,” said John Barett, ISSA Executive Director. “The dedication these two custodians display, despite the demanding nature of their work, speaks volumes about their commitment to the well-being of their entire school community.”

Rodriguez is known for his exceptional work ethic and dedication to keep the school in top-notch condition. He leads by example, with a smile on his face, inspiring both faculty and students with his passion for his work and positive disposition.

Arredondo approaches everything she does with kindness. More than just a custodian, she creates a welcoming and supportive environment for students, staff and visitors alike. For example, she speaks to students in both English and Spanish and often goes above and beyond to make families feel at home.

“Lio and Mica’s dedication to their school communities is evident in everything they do, with their impact extending far beyond cleaning, earning them this well-deserved recognition,” said Robert Posthauer, Rubbermaid Commercial Products senior vice president and general manager.

Rodriguez and Arrendondo will also receive a cleaning supply package from Rubbermaid Commercial Products and complimentary tuition to one ISSA Cleaning Management Institute (CMI) virtual training event, valued at $1,500. 

For more information about the Cintas Custodian of the Year contest, visit custodianoftheyear.com.   

On May 13, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has accepted its advisory panel’s recommendations on vaccines for chikungunya, a virus transmitted by mosquitoes, Reuters reported.

Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. The CDC is concerned that  the virus can spread to unaffected areas by infected travelers. Locally acquired chikungunya cases have not been reported from U.S. states or territories since 2019, but last year the CDC confirmed nearly 200 travel-associated cases in the U.S. mainland.

The most common symptoms of chikungunya are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms can include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. While no medicines have been developed to treat chikungunya, the best way to prevent chikungunya is to not get bitten by a mosquito. Vaccination currently is recommended for some travelers.

As climate changes affects the migration of mosquitoes, West Nile virus also has been found in mosquitoes collected in Great Britain for the first time, the United Kingdom Health Security Agency said on May 21. West Nile virus is endemic in regions across the globe, including Europe, Africa, the Middle East, West and Central Asia, North America, South America, and Australia. The geographic range of West Nile Virus has expanded in recent years to more northerly and western regions of mainland Europe.

Meanwhile, on May 22, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisers unanimously recommended that COVID-19 vaccines for the 2025-26 period should target newer strains of the JN.1 variant, Reuters reported. This followed the news last week that the FDA plans to restrict annual COVID-19 boosters for healthy Americans under age 65, essentially restricting them to older adults and those at risk of developing severe illness, as CMM previously reported.

The CDC is also expected to decide on recommendations for vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and meningococcal disease, a bacterial infection, Reuters reported. However, details regarding the approval status of the RSV and meningococcal vaccine recommendations are not available on the CDC’s website.