AMSTERDAM — People in Brazil have a new ally in the fight against an invasive carrier of dengue fever – a mosquito-repellent coating developed by AkzoNobel’s Coral brand.

Known as Well-being Protection Anti-Mosquito, the colorless matt varnish contains an active ingredient called permethrin. Its repellent action is specifically designed to combat the Aedes aegypti mosquito, which was largely responsible for dengue cases in Brazil surging 165% during the first few months of 2022, according to figures from the Brazilian Ministry of Health. As well as spreading dengue, Aedes aegypti can also transmit the zika and chikungunya virus.

When a mosquito lands on the new transparent topcoat, the permethrin is absorbed through its feet and over-excites the insect’s nervous system, causing it to disengage or fall off. Permethrin is a well-known repellent and is commonly used in fabrics for mosquito nets and protective clothing.

“Concerns about health and safety at home have greatly increased in recent years,” explains Daniel Campos, AkzoNobel’s Director of Decorative Paints in Latin America. “This new coating — the first of its kind in the region — is a clear matt varnish which can be applied over any painted wall. It’s a great example of People. Planet. Paint. in action and shows how our pioneering approach to product development can help make a genuine and lasting difference, including to people’s health and well-being.

“Public health is a major issue in countries across the world. In Brazil, dengue is a particular problem. We want to help people look after their families by offering a breakthrough product which has been proven to give continuous protection against the Aedes aegypti mosquito, 24 hours a day, for up to two years.”

The effectiveness of Well-being Protection Anti-Mosquito was tested in an independent external laboratory, certified by the Brazilian Network of Analytical Laboratories in Health. All the tests took place on painted walls and ceilings in a life-size house environment and successfully proved that mosquitoes were repelled from the room after contact, with the active ingredient being retained in the varnish matrix.

Dengue is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. According to the World Health Organization, the global incidence of dengue has grown dramatically, with around half the world’s population at risk. Up until May 14 this year, there were 855,910 reports of probable infection of dengue in Brazil, with an incidence of 401.2 per 100,000 inhabitants. The extent of the public health problem is underlined by the fact that dengue, zika and chikungunya don’t have a specific treatment. So, prevention is regarded as the best strategy.

Currently only available in Brazil, there are plans to make the new product available in other countries and regions.

Learn more at www.akzonobel.com.