The True Story: An Italian Greyhound That Slept with Its Owners Every Night

In August 2022, a medical team in Paris, France, reported in The Lancet on an Italian greyhound belonging to two men who had mpox. The owners said the dog slept in the same bed as them. About 12 days after the owners' symptoms began, the dog developed skin lesions and blisters. Tests found mpox, and genetic analysis showed it was the same virus as its owners'. The authors said this was the first case with evidence of human-to-dog transmission. Several health agencies later updated their advice on caring for the pets of patients.

Why This Matters for Pet Owners in Thailand

Many Thais treat their dogs and cats as family members, letting them sleep in bed, sit on the sofa and be cuddled often. Pets also visit grooming salons, vet clinics and pet hotels, which take animals from many homes in a single day.

• Sharing a bed brings pets into direct contact with the owner's sheets and skin
• Pet blankets, cushions and toys are often mixed in with the owner's things
• Grooming salons share tables, bathtubs, towels and brushes between many animals
• Pet hotels have cages, cushions and play areas used one after another

This differs from the 2003 US pet shop story, where sick animals spread the virus to people, because this time a person spread it to an animal.

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person and through contaminated items such as bedding and towels, and it is a disease that can pass between animals and people. The Paris case shows that pets close to a patient may also be infected. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

If Someone at Home Has Mpox, How Should Pets Be Cared For?

1. Have someone who is not ill care for the pet, if possible
2. The patient avoids hugging, kissing or sleeping with the pet while sores are present
3. Keep the pet's blankets, cushions and toys out of the patient's room
4. Wash the pet's fabrics in hot water and clean food bowls separately
5. If the pet develops unusual sores or blisters, consult a vet and say that someone at home is ill
6. Disinfect the home after the patient recovers, including the beds and sofas the pet uses

For Grooming Salons, Vet Clinics and Pet Hotels

• Ask owners whether anyone at home has an infectious illness before accepting a pet
• Change towels for every animal, and disinfect tables, tubs and equipment between animals
• Wash cushions and cage fabrics in hot water after each animal goes home
• Staff wear gloves when handling animals with unusual sores, and wash their hands every time
• Fog the whole salon on a schedule to control many germs at once

How ULV Fogging Helps

The World Health Disinfection disinfection service uses ULV fogging machines that turn the disinfectant into a fine mist. It settles across the whole area, including corners, curtains, upholstery and surfaces that hand wiping cannot fully reach.

• Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
• Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
• The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
• Report and photos after the job to show customers, management or authorities
• Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies
• More than 5 years of experience in hospitals, offices, hotels and public buildings

The Disinfectant We Use: Chemgene HLD4H

The team uses Chemgene HLD4H. According to WHD's product page, it meets the EN 14476 standard for virucidal activity, is used in NHS hospitals in England, and is endorsed by Mahidol University. We do not claim that Chemgene has been tested against mpox specifically. But mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate when used at the manufacturer's stated concentration and contact time.

• No harsh bleach smell
• Works on many surfaces, from desks and counters to handles and equipment
• Can be bought for daily wiping of high-touch points

10 Reasons Pet Owners and Pet Businesses Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. There is a real report of human-to-dog transmission
2. Pets are closer to their owners than we think
3. Grooming salons take animals from many homes in one day
4. It protects staff who handle animals daily
5. Customers trust the salon's cleanliness
6. It also prevents other germs common in pets
7. It uses a disinfectant without a harsh smell that bothers animals
8. It reaches cage gaps and hard-to-wipe corners
9. It provides reports confirming cleanliness
10. It comes with a tax invoice for businesses

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can pets really catch mpox? A: There is a reported case of a dog in Paris that tested positive for the same virus as its owners, but such cases are still rare. Q: Can disinfectant be used in a home with pets? A: Yes. Keep pets out of the area during fogging and bring them back after the time the team gives, typically about 30 minutes. Q: Does Chemgene HLD4H kill mpox? A: It is not claimed to be tested against mpox specifically, but it meets EN 14476 for viruses, and mpox is an enveloped virus. Q: Can grooming salons request a quotation? A: Yes. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Related Links and Sources

• World Health Disinfection disinfection service
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant and price
• Mpox information from Thailand's Department of Disease Control, hotline 1422
• WHO mpox fact sheet

Prevent It with a Disinfection Service and Chemgene HLD4H

The true story from Paris reminds us that our beloved pets may also be affected when someone at home is ill. Caring correctly for homes, salons and pet accommodation protects both people and animals. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for homes, grooming salons and pet hotels, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping tables and equipment between animals.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268