Trending

New study reveals that some insect repellents could kill strains of coronavirus

New research conducted Britain's defence laboratory has been released today.

The Manc - 26th August 2020

New research conducted Britain’s defence laboratory has shown that a product found in insect repellent can kill the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

As revealed by Sky News, scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) have decided to share their preliminary findings so that others are able to conduct further research.

Findings come after it was confirmed in April that Britain’s armed forces were issued with an insect repellent that contains a product called Citriodiol, as it was believed it may offer a new layer of protection against COVID-19.

Citriodiol is already known to kill other types of coronavirus.

Defence scientists then subsequently conducted research to see whether it would provide a protective layer against COVID-19, with those results being released on today, and the company that produces Citriodiol also believed it could offer protection against the novel coronavirus too.

Citriodiol is made from oil from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.

It is a component found in the insect repellent Mosi Guard and others, although it is understood that a mosquito spray is not a sufficient protection on its own and is only used by the military as an added layer along with face masks, hand washing and other techniques to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

Only insect repellents containing Citriodiol and not containing Deet is regarded as having the potential of any kind of utility against the novel coronavirus.

Jacqueline Watson – Managing Director of Citrefine International Ltd – said to Sky News in April that she would like the government to support a formal testing programme, stating: “What we can say is that we do feel there is a very good chance it could work against this virus,

“But it does of course need to be thoroughly tested”.