(MENAFN- Arab News) The sales of disinfectants detergents and sterilizers in jeddah are booming thanks to rampant fears of the coronavirus.

several shopkeepers across the city have reported higher profits from the sales of home sterilizers prompting increased competition between companies which are now launching new advertisement campaigns to market their products.

'under no circumstances can i stop using disinfectants at home given the alarming spread of the coronavirus in jeddah" hussein mirza a jeddah resident and employee of an it company told arab news.

mirza buys sr150 worth of disinfectants and sterilizers daily after experts said that the use of such products could cut the risk of infection by more than 90 percent.

'i have six daughters and two sons and cannot cut back on what is now an essential commodity" he said.

the sector has witnessed significant growth estimated at about 7.5 percent annually thanks to the reported preventive power of such products.

hospitals account for the largest consumers in this sector spending an estimated sr17 billion yearly.

both local and international companies are competing ferociously to secure a greater share for these products in the saudi market one of the largest in the gulf region.

the volume of investments in this sector has also boomed as a result.

mohammed al-ghamdi a consumer in jeddah said continuous campaigns and postings on social media outlets and the media at large have prompted him to purchase sterilizers and disinfectants in large quantities at a time.

hesham mohamed the owner of a pharmacy in jeddah said that there is an unusual increase in the demand for disinfectants and sterilizers but stressed that prices have not increased.

adel essam a resident who specializes in infection control attributed the buying frenzy to ignorance about the coronavirus.

'this virus does not spread as easily as people think it does" he said. 'overusing disinfectants at home actually might do more harm to children and infants whose immunity needs to be given a chance to strengthen."

a source at the ministry of commerce in jeddah confirmed that the ministry is conducting inspection rounds on markets shops and pharmacies to monitor the authenticity of products on sale especially detergents and disinfectants and to ensure compliance with price limits.

anyone found violating standards will be referred to authorities for penal action he said.