British scientists have discovered that an active ingredient found in insect repellent can kill COVID-19, according to a report.
Researchers from the UK’s Defense Science and Technology Laboratory have decided that Citriodiol could help fight the coronavirus in a preliminary study, Sky News reported.
Insecticides with Citriodiol are not believed to be just enough to protect people against the virus, but can be used as an extra layer of defense along with face masks, handwashing and other health recommendations, according to the report.
Citriodiol – approved by the US Environmental Protection Agency – is derived from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.
Jacqueline Watson, director of Citrefine, which produces the natural active ingredient, said earlier that she was optimistic it could help stop the spread of the virus.
“What we can say is that we feel there is a very good chance that it can work against this virus, but it obviously needs to be tested thoroughly,” she said.
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