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New research unveils that oral disinfection with Povidone Iodine can prevent viral respiratory infections by more than 99.99%
Dubai - Mundi pharma today announced the successful results of a research study to investigate the efficacy of three BETADINE povidone iodine (PVPI) formulations against MERS virus.
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) is an illness caused by a virus called Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), and is known to affect the respiratory system. With approximately 1,188 MERS cases reported in 2012 by the Ministry of Health in Saudi Arabia , the potential of the virus spreading in September increases, with more than 2.8 million pilgrims expected to travel to the holy city of Mecca for the annual hajj pilgrimage.
The South Korea outbreak which was contained in July 2015, where 185 people were infected, 36 killed and more than 16,000 quarantined, has demonstrated the need for effective preventative measures to reduce the spread of the virus. Most MERS patients developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough and shortness of breath and 3-4 out of every 10 patients reported with MERS have died.
To date, there is no specific medication or vaccination available to effectively combat MERS, raising a tremendous concern in today's globally connected population. In an effort to contain the spread of infectious diseases, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued guidelines on maintaining good personal hygiene, highlighting regular hand washing, as the first line of defence in disease prevention and infection control.
A recent in-vitro research study, conducted at Marburg University, Germany, on BETADINE® range of products including 4% PVP-I (BETADINE® Skin Cleanser), 7.5% PVP-I (BETADINE® Surgical Scrub), 1% PVP-I (BETADINE® mouthwash and gargle) scientifically proves the efficacy against the MERS virus and the modified vaccinia virus type Ankara (considered to be one of the toughest enveloped viruses).
The study was conducted based on the latest EU test standard for virus testing. The three PVPI products tested in this study demonstrated virucidal activity against MERS with a rapid kill rate of more than 99.99% within only 15 seconds of exposure. Proper hand hygiene and cough etiquette coupled with PVPI antiviral efficacy will help in limiting the transmission of the virus and protect against the spread of infection among healthcare workers and the public during future MERS outbreaks.
"This study not only highlights exciting new findings about the broad spectrum virucidal efficacy of PVPI against a wide range of viruses including MERs, it also reminds us that prevention through proper hygiene is still required to protect the health of both healthcare professionals and the public in the global fight against viral diseases," said Prof Maren Eggers, Head of Experimental Virology and Department of Disinfectant Testing at the Laboratory Prof. G Enders, MVZ Stuttgart. "We must continue to be vigilant and employ all of the weapons including proven PVPI products in our arsenal to fight this unseen enemy."
"To combat today's health threats; we have turned to BETADINE®, which over the past 50 years, has repeatedly demonstrated proven effectiveness against a diverse range of pathogens including the MERS virus, and has kept generations of families protected from infections," says Ashraf Allam, Dr. Ashraf Allam, Regional Vice President, Mundipharma Middle East and Africa region. "By coupling our commitment to innovation and accessibility, we are working closely with the health authorities in the Region to educate the people on how to minimize the spread of the infection."
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About Mundipharma
The Mundipharma network of independent associated companies consists of privately owned companies and joint ventures covering the world's pharmaceutical markets. These companies are committed to bringing to patients the benefits of pioneering treatment options in the core therapy areas of oncology, pain, respiratory, consumer healthcare and rheumatoid arthritis. www.mundipharma.com.sg
About Marburg University
Marburg University, which is almost 500 years old, is the oldest and most traditional university in the state of Hessen, Germany and considers itself to be a classical university offering a full range of courses with a modern approach. Its broad range of arts and humanities, and its experimentally challenging scientific work, constitute an ideal platform for interdisciplinary cooperation. The university relies on innovative teaching methods and networked research. http://www.uni-marburg.de/
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© Press Release 2015
