Real Data: Who Needs Extra Care

On 3 November 2026, DDC Deputy Director-General Dr. Direk Khampaen said most mpox patients recover with supportive care, but people with weakened immunity, pregnant women and young children need closer monitoring, with hospital admission decided case by case. Source: Hfocus, 3 Nov 2026

Internationally, when WHO ended the global emergency in September 2025 it still highlighted concern about deaths among people living with HIV in some countries. Source: The Star, 5 Sep 2025 The Philippine Department of Health also said some deaths there were due to complications of advanced HIV. Source: GMA News, 31 May 2025

The data points one way: people with weaker immune systems are more likely to become seriously ill.

How the Virus Could Enter a Care Home

Care homes are not inherently high-risk settings. DDC data suggests most Thai patients were infected through close contact among working-age adults. But the virus can enter through:

• Carers and staff infected outside work without knowing it.
• Relatives and visitors.
• Linen and bedding laundered outside.
• New residents arriving from hospital or home.

Once inside, care work matches the routes of transmission: close skin contact while bathing, dressing and turning residents, and handling large amounts of bedding and towels.

Real Research Relevant to Care Work

• A study in The Lancet Microbe found that changing bed linen in patients' rooms was linked to virus in the air, and live virus was grown from an air sample taken during a linen change. Source: NIHR HPRU-EZI
• German research found virus on stainless steel remained infectious for about 10-11 days at room temperature, relevant to bed rails, wheelchairs and grab rails in care homes. Source: HealthDay

The Risks for Care Homes

• Residents with weak immunity may become seriously ill.
• Carers off work for a long time if infected, straining staffing.
• The trust of residents' families.
• Licensing and quality standard requirements.

Good Practice for Elderly Care Homes

1. Screen staff and visitors politely for fever and rash; anyone with symptoms should postpone visits and see a doctor.
2. Use a sick-leave policy that encourages staff to report symptoms without fear of losing pay.
3. Observe residents' skin during daily care, and report any unusual rash or bumps to a doctor, since the DDC says only PCR can confirm mpox.
4. Keep bedding and towels separate for each resident, bagged without shaking, as the US CDC advises. Source: US CDC
5. Carers wear gloves for bathing, wound care and handling linen, and wash hands after removing gloves.
6. Disinfect bed rails, wheelchairs, grab rails and bathrooms daily with a product labeled to kill viruses and its full contact time.
7. Use wet cleaning instead of dry sweeping.
8. Disinfect the whole building on a schedule, at times when residents can be moved to another area.

Why Care Homes 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, it is endorsed by Mahidol University and NHS England, references testing to the European standard EN 14476, and is described as safe for people and pets when used according to the service process. See the disinfection service

Ten reasons it suits elderly care homes and recovery centres:

1. A disinfectant used in healthcare settings, per product information.
2. References EN 14476 virucidal testing.
3. Zone-by-zone planning, so residents can move elsewhere during treatment.
4. Fast return to use. Under our service process, areas can be used about 30 minutes after spraying.
5. ULV mist reaches under beds, bed rails and walking aids.
6. Covers bedrooms, bathrooms, dining rooms and activity rooms.
7. Reduces the burden on carers who already have demanding work.
8. Reassures families with visible measures.
9. Tax invoices for juristic persons.
10. More than five years of experience.

Before and After

Before

• Visitors come and go without screening.
• Towels and bedding handled together.
• No clear disinfection routine for bed rails and wheelchairs.
• Families ask about prevention measures.

After

• Polite screening of staff and visitors.
• Linen kept per resident and handled correctly.
• Equipment and surfaces disinfected daily, with scheduled whole-building treatment.
• Families feel reassured.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are older people more likely to catch mpox? DDC data does not say older people catch it more easily, but people with weakened immunity need close monitoring because illness may be more severe.

Can we spray while residents are in the room? Residents should be moved to another area during spraying and return at the time the technician gives.

What if a resident develops a rash? Inform a doctor, separate the resident as appropriate, and let the doctor assess, since rashes in older people have many causes.

Can relatives still visit? Yes, but anyone with fever or a rash should postpone, and everyone should wash hands on arrival.

Sources and Related Links

• WHD disinfection spraying service
• Chemgene disinfectants
• World Health Disinfection homepage
• Hfocus: DDC on groups needing close monitoring
• US CDC: Cleaning and disinfecting for mpox

Protect the Vulnerable Before the Virus Arrives

Real information from the DDC, WHO and the Philippine Department of Health shows that people with weakened immunity are more likely to become seriously ill. Care homes with screening, correct linen handling and proper disinfection protect residents, carers and families' trust.

World Health Disinfection provides CHEMGENE HLD4H disinfection for elderly care homes, nursing homes, recovery centres and physiotherapy centres.

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

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268