Advancements in Arthropod Repellent Strategies for Public Health

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Chandrasekaran Krithika, Sridhar C, Khadijah Mohideen, Jeyanthikumari T, Vinayakam S, Sanjana MR

Abstract

Arthropod bites pose a substantial risk to human health, potentially causing infectious or inflammatory effects and transmitting severe diseases such as malaria, Chikungunya and dengue. Minimizing human-mosquito contact is essential to prevent disease transmission. Understanding the history of Insect Repellents (IRs) informs the development of effective modern strategies. DEET, botanicals, and citronella are vital ingredients in existing IRs, with DEET being the primary and widely used repellent for over six decades. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has approved various IR ingredients for topical use due to their low toxicity and effectiveness. Despite extensive global efforts, finding absolute preventive measures against arthropod bites remains challenging. Appreciating how repellents impact olfactory and gustatory processes lays the groundwork for enhancing existing repellents and uncovering novel compounds. The present review presents the latest information on repellents, including recent discoveries and areas that require attention, such as novel formulations, aiming to advance scientific knowledge in this field.

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