Preventing SARS-CoV-2 superspreading events with antiviral intranasal sprays

Where crowds are in close contact in closed spaces, respiratory viruses like coronavirus spread easily. At such events, superspreading may occur: one person transmitting the virus to many other event-goers, fuelling the epidemic or pandemic. We used mathematical modelling to predict whether antiviral nose sprays which act immediately can prevent such superspreading events. We found that early use of nose sprays can suppress a SARS-CoV-2 outbreak, even if not everybody is treated with the nose spray, as long as people are also tested and use social distancing if infected. At a conference where people do not quarantine, it is more difficult to prevent spreading of the virus altogether with nose sprays alone. However, at an individual level, people who take the nose spray have lower chance of getting infected with the virus.