Merck Korea has introduced IR3535®, a non-toxic mosquito and insect repellent of Merck, for the prevention of the Zika virus infection.
The Aedes aegypti is causing widespread fear in Brazil because it is spreading the Zika virus. Infection with the Zika virus in pregnant women seems to be correlated to a developmental disorder called microcephaly in newborns. Other adverse effects like retina damage and autoimmune disease (guillian-barré syndrome) can possibly develop from viral infections with Zika or Chikungunya. As no vaccine is yet available, it is the recommendation by the WHO to use different ways of prevention measures against mosquito bites like mosquito nets, wearing clothes that cover the extremities and using wire mesh screens on doors and windows. There is also a strong recommendation to use repellents containing e.g. IR3535®.
IR3535® has been shown to be effective against various Aedes species (e. g. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus), which are, amongst others, the main vectors for the Zika virus, Dengue virus, Yellow Fever virus, West Nile virus and Chikingunya virus. The product is already launched as quasi-drug in Korea.
IR3535® - Safety for everyone, at any time
The insect repellent IR3535® (Ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate) is a derivative of β-Alanine, a naturally occurring amino acid. IR3535® is a clear, colorless and practically odorless liquid compound and fulfills all the requirements for the outstanding properties of an excellent repellent. The safety of IR3535® for consumers, workers and the environment has been demonstrated in a comprehensive number of in vitro and in vivo studies on acute toxicity, local tolerance, phototoxicity, repeated dose toxicity, mutagenicity, reproductive toxicity and toxicokinetics.
IR3535® is the only molecule classified as “U” by WHO-hazard classification which means “Unlikely to present acute hazard in normal use”. In addition to its favorable safety profile, IR3535® has an excellent ecotoxicological profile, i.e. it is not toxic to aquatic organism such as fish or algae and does not accumulate in the environment.
Safe for pregnant women, breastfeeding women
Dr. Thomas Broschard, Senior Toxicologist of EUROTOX (Federation of European Toxicologists & European Societies of Toxicology, said, “It can be proven with a comprehensive data package on reproductive toxicity and the long history of safe use of IR3535® that there is no indication that the use of this active ingredient by pregnant and breastfeeding women might be of any risk neither to the expectant mothers nor the nursed babies.” In addition, the reproductive toxicity of IR3535® was investigated in a 2-generation study in rats according to OECD test guideline No. 416. There were no findings on reproductive or on developmental parameters. The number and development of the pups was normal and comparable to the concurrent control. IR3535® was not toxic with regard to reproduction or development.
Risk assessments based on all these data show that IR3535® does not pose a risk to human health or the environment. Using repellents containing IR3535® is another option to prevent against mosquito bites on top of mosquito nets, wearing clothes that cover the extremities and using wire mesh screens on doors and windows.
