CORONAVIRUS : ARMED FORCES USE INSECT REPELLENT "CITRIODIOL" TO PROTECT AGAINST VIRUS

Many soldiers are supporting the NHS on the frontline and are using the spray to form an extra barrier on the skin and has been used to protect against other viruses.

The armed forces are being issued with insect repellent Citriodiol that experts say could offer another layer of protection against coronavirus.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace confirmed the use of the chemical in a letter to the chair of the defence select committee Tobias Ellwood.

Citriodiol is known to kill types of coronaviruses and the defence secretary described it as one of the enhanced Force Health Protection Measures.

In the letter Mr Wallace explains the reasoning behind using the chemical: "Weaker Citriodiol spray solutions form a barrier on the skin and have been found to provide a barrier against variants of the SARS virus similar to that causing the current pandemic."

Sky news reported a military source that said he had been told there was evidence to suggest that the chemical might have a similar effect on the strain of the disease behind the pandemic.






The company that produces Citriodiol also believes it could offer protection against covid-19.

Jacqueline Watson, managing director of Citrefine International Ltd, said she would like the government to support a formal testing programme.

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," she told Sky News.

Soldiers are also being issued a disinfectant spray to be used as a decontaminant if they come into contact with someone who has or might have COVID-19.

And they are set to be offered vitamin D supplements to support their immune system.