Real Cases: Healthcare Workers Infected at Work

The May 2023 issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases, the US CDC journal, reported an occupational mpox case in a South Korean healthcare worker and reviewed similar cases worldwide from 2022. Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases, US CDC

The South Korean case

• On 14 November 2022, a 33-year-old female healthcare worker was pricked in the left index finger by a 26G needle while aspirating a patient's blister.
• She was wearing a disposable gown, double gloves and a powered air-purifying respirator.
• She received post-exposure vaccination within 20 hours, and antiviral treatment from day 9 because of severe pain.
• The infection stayed localized, and the lesion healed fully by day 34.

The review of eight healthcare worker cases in 2022

• 5 of the 8 were infected through needlestick injuries.
• Two others developed lesions on the hands and wrists, which the authors considered likely to have come from contact with contaminated surfaces.
• The median incubation period was 5 days.
• Workers who received post-exposure vaccination had only local lesions.

Why Labs and Collection Points in Thailand Should Pay Attention

In November 2026 the DDC stressed that the main confirmatory test is PCR on a lesion sample, not a routine blood test, and that people whose symptoms persist after a first test should return for repeat sampling. Source: Hfocus, 3 Nov 2026

Thailand recorded 470 cases in 2026 up to 31 October. Every one of them went through lesion sampling, and many more people tested negative, which adds up to a large volume of sampling and lab work across the country.

Back in 2022, when Thailand found its first case, the DDC said that any vaccination could first be considered for laboratory staff and healthcare workers in close contact with patients. Source: Bangkok Biznews

Risk Points in Labs, Collection Points and Health Check Centres

• Sampling beds or chairs where patients sit or lie.
• Sample preparation benches and instrument trays.
• The outside of sample tubes and transport bags.
• Biosafety cabinets and the surrounding area.
• Waiting rooms and restrooms.
• PPE removal rooms. UK research found virus in anterooms where staff removed protective equipment. Source: NIHR HPRU-EZI

The Risks for the Organization

• Staff infected and off work, straining limited personnel.
• The next person tested touching the same surfaces.
• Patient confidence in the testing centre.
• Quality standard issues during accreditation audits.

Good Practice

1. Follow laboratory biosafety guidance and public health requirements.
2. Handle sharps carefully and dispose of them immediately in sharps containers.
3. Change bed or chair covers for every patient.
4. Disinfect surfaces after every patient with a product labeled to kill viruses and its full contact time.
5. Wipe the outside of sample tubes and transport bags.
6. Disinfect PPE removal rooms on a schedule.
7. Report needlestick injuries immediately, so post-exposure vaccination can be considered; research found vaccinated workers had only local lesions.
8. Disinfect whole areas on a schedule outside service hours.

Why Testing Centres and Labs 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 is endorsed by Mahidol University and NHS England and references testing to the European standard EN 14476. See the disinfection service

Ten reasons it suits labs, collection points and health check centres:

1. A disinfectant used in healthcare settings, per product information.
2. References EN 14476 virucidal testing.
3. Treatment outside service hours, without disrupting testing.
4. Fast return to use. Under our service process, areas can be used about 30 minutes after spraying.
5. Suitable around electronics, as stated on our service page; technicians assess specialist instruments first.
6. Covers waiting rooms, sampling rooms, restrooms and PPE removal rooms.
7. ULV mist reaches corners.
8. Supports staff's daily disinfection routines.
9. Tax invoices for juristic persons.
10. More than five years of experience.

Before and After

Before

• Surfaces wiped in a hurry between patients.
• No disinfection routine for PPE removal rooms.
• Staff worried about their safety.
• No disinfection records for audits.

After

• Surfaces disinfected after every patient, with full contact time.
• PPE removal rooms and waiting areas disinfected on schedule.
• A record of work done.
• Staff and patients feel confident.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are fully protected staff still at risk? The Korean worker was fully protected but suffered a needlestick. Following guidance reduces risk greatly, but not to zero.

What should we do after a needlestick? Report it immediately so post-exposure vaccination can be considered under public health guidance.

Can labs be sprayed? Our technicians assess the area and instruments first and work with the organization's biosafety officer.

Why can't a blood test confirm mpox? The DDC says routine blood tests are not confirmatory; PCR on a lesion sample is required.

Sources and Related Links

• WHD disinfection spraying service
• Chemgene disinfectants
• World Health Disinfection homepage
• Emerging Infectious Diseases: Occupational mpox in healthcare workers
• Hfocus: DDC says PCR from lesions is required

Protect the People on the Front Line of Testing

Real research shows healthcare workers can be infected at work, both through needles and through contaminated surfaces. Labs and collection points with strict disinfection routines protect staff and the people who come to be tested.

World Health Disinfection provides CHEMGENE HLD4H disinfection for laboratories, sample collection points, health check centres and clinics.

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

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268