A Real Survey in San Francisco's Homeless Services

A US CDC MMWR report dated 3 March 2023 surveyed people using homeless services in San Francisco between 25 October and 3 November 2022. Source: US CDC MMWR

• The survey covered 16 sites: 7 shelters, 5 service centres, 2 permanent supportive housing sites and 2 encampments.
• Some sites were chosen because they had served someone with confirmed mpox.
• 209 people completed the survey and gave a blood sample.
• Three possible undetected infections were found through antibody testing.

None of the three reported sexual contact in the previous month. Two reported sharing unwashed utensils, and two reported touching or spending time around someone with a rash. The authors said the route of infection could not be determined, and that mpox mainly spreads through skin contact, with spread through objects less common.

Why This Matters in Thailand

Thailand has many foundations, shelters, homes for people without support, emergency shelters, soup kitchens and food distribution points, run by government agencies, charities and temples. Many people who use them find it hard to access healthcare and may not see a doctor when they have a rash.

The DDC reports 470 mpox cases and 3 deaths in Thailand in 2026 up to 31 October, and advises against sharing personal items such as towels, bedding, clothing and eating utensils. Source: Bangkok Biznews, 3 Nov 2026

Risk Points in Shelters and Foundations

• Beds, mats and blankets passed from person to person.
• Donated clothing handed on without washing.
• Shared bathrooms and shared towels.
• Food containers, cups and spoons used by many people.
• Registration and collection points.
• Foundation vehicles.

The Challenges Managers Face

• Tight budgets for cleaning supplies.
• Rotating volunteers without training.
• People coming and going constantly, making follow-up hard.
• Fear of stigma, so people with symptoms do not speak up.
• Large volumes of donated linen and clothing to manage.

Good Practice for Foundations and Shelters

1. Wash utensils in hot water with dish soap after every use, and never share cups or spoons without washing.
2. Wash bedding and towels every time the user changes, bagged without shaking.
3. Wash donated clothing before handing it out.
4. Disinfect high-touch points daily: bathrooms, handles, rails and dining tables, with a product labeled to kill viruses and its full contact time.
5. Volunteers wear gloves when handling linen and waste.
6. Share information without stigma. Post signs asking anyone with fever or a rash to tell staff, and arrange referral to a doctor. DDC hotline: 1422.
7. Work with local health officials on information and vaccination, in line with the CDC report's call for active outreach.
8. Disinfect the whole building on a schedule, especially shared sleeping areas and bathrooms.

Why Foundations and Shelters Choose Chemgene and WHD's Service

The mpox virus is an enveloped virus, the type that suitable disinfectants can inactivate when used correctly and given the full contact time.

World Health Disinfection provides spraying with CHEMGENE HLD4H, a concentrated disinfectant imported from the United Kingdom. According to our service page, the product references testing to the European standard EN 14476 and is applied with ULV equipment. See the disinfection service

Ten reasons it suits foundations, shelters and aid centres:

1. Covers shared sleeping rooms and bathrooms in one visit.
2. No need to know who is sick. Scheduled treatment reduces surface risk regardless.
3. Fast return to use. Under our service process, areas can be used about 30 minutes after spraying.
4. European-standard disinfectant, referencing EN 14476 per product information.
5. Reduces the burden on untrained volunteers.
6. Covers donation stores and kitchens.
7. Schedules that fit the organization's budget.
8. Respectful service that never stigmatizes the people you serve.
9. Tax invoices for foundations and organizations.
10. More than five years of experience.

Before and After

Before

• Bedding passed on without washing each time.
• Utensils shared and rinsed quickly.
• Volunteers without gloves.
• No plan if someone has a rash.

After

• Bedding washed at every change of user.
• Utensils washed with hot water and dish soap.
• Sleeping areas and bathrooms disinfected on schedule.
• A non-stigmatizing referral process to a doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can mpox really spread through utensils? The CDC report found two of the three possible infections involved sharing unwashed utensils, but the route could not be confirmed. Skin contact remains the main route. Washing utensils properly is easy and worth doing.

Should donated clothing be washed first? Yes. The DDC lists shared clothing as a possible route.

How often should we spray? It depends on how many people you serve. Centres with shared sleeping rooms should have a regular schedule.

What if someone has a rash? Politely offer them a separate space, arrange medical referral, and clean the areas they used.

Sources and Related Links

• WHD disinfection spraying service
• Chemgene disinfectants
• World Health Disinfection homepage
• US CDC MMWR: San Francisco homeless services survey
• Bangkok Biznews: Thailand's 2026 mpox situation

Care for the Most Vulnerable With the Right Kind of Clean

A real CDC survey shows that where many people share facilities, some infections may never be detected. Foundations and shelters that clean and disinfect regularly protect the people they serve, their volunteers and their staff.

World Health Disinfection provides CHEMGENE HLD4H disinfection for foundations, shelters, aid centres and soup kitchens.

Call 065-556-6294 or add LINE @whd268 for a quotation.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268