A product found in insect repellent could be used to kill the coronavirus, new research has shown.
The study carried out by Britain's defence laboratory has found that the ingredient can kill the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
Scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) are sharing their preliminary findings so others are able to conduct further research, Sky News has reported.
Britain's armed forces were given an insect repellent that contains a product called Citriodiol because it was believed it might offer a layer of protection against COVID-19.
Citriodiol is already known to kill other types of coronavirus.
Defence scientists conducted research with those results being released on Wednesday.
The company that produces Citriodiol also said it believed it could offer protection against the novel virus.
The mosquito spray is said to not be a sufficient protection on its own and is used by the military as an added layer along with face masks, hand washing and other techniques to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Citriodiol is made from oil from the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus citriodora tree.
