A new campaign is urging travellers to protect themselves against diseasespreading insect bites with DEET, following research showing that the insect repellent’s benefits outweigh any theoretical risks.

Launched by scientists from arctec at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, ‘Bug Off’ aims to highlight the importance of using insect repellents and other measures, especially when travelling to tropical countries.

The campaign coincides with a review in the journal Parasites and Vectors, which found no evidence of severe adverse reactions with recommended use of DEET. Dr James Logan, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s director of arctec commented: “It is important that travellers have access to repellents with greater levels of DEET that will provide the best protection.”