Coronavirus: Nasal Spray Manufactured by Israel Reduces Mass Gathering Infection

Coronavirus: Nasal Spray Manufactured by Israel Reduces Mass Gathering Infection

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A nasal spray may have reduced the coronavirus infection rate during a mass gathering during Rosh Hashanah in the highly endemic community of Bnei Brak, according to new, preliminary research.

About 83 members of an ultra-Orthodox synagogue in Bnei Brak used the nasal spray “Traffix” during Rosh Hashanah services, and after two weeks, 2.4% of Traffix users were infected with the coronavirus, while 10% of the non users were infected with the coronavirus.

The chance ratio for coronavirus infection in Traffix users has been reduced by 78%.

The results led the researchers to recommend the use of Traffix, in addition to other precautions. No side effects were reported among users.

The nasal spray, created by Nasus Pharma, is a nasal powder inhaler that creates a protective layer over the nasal mucosa that can block viruses against nasal cells. The main ingredient in Traffix, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, forms a mucus gum that covers the nasal cells, preventing viruses from binding to receptors.

It also creates an acidic microenvironment that can last for five hours and has been shown to prevent respiratory diseases such as N1H1 flu and rhinovirus. The spray is approved for use in Europe and Israel.

Nasus Pharma is a bio-pharmaceutical company in Tel Aviv that develops intranasal powder products to treat acute, emergency situations. The company focuses on nose products due to higher distribution and faster uptake of nose treatments.

The research was completed by researchers from the University of Haifa, the University of Virginia, Nasus Pharma and the Hadassah Medical Center. This is preliminary and has not yet been judged by peers.

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