The True Story: One Day After the Emergency Declaration, the Virus Had Left Africa

On 14 August 2024, WHO declared the mpox outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The next day, 15 August, Sweden's public health agency reported the first clade I mpox case outside Africa. The patient had been infected while staying in an area of Africa with an outbreak and was treated in the Stockholm region. Officials said the risk to the general public in Sweden remained very low, but the news showed how quickly a new strain can cross continents with travellers.

Why This Matters for Thai Companies

Many Thai companies send staff abroad for work, including project engineers, sales teams, machine installation crews and staff at overseas branches. Some travel to areas with infectious disease outbreaks. When they return, they go straight back to the office, meetings and shared spaces with colleagues.

• No health policy before and after travel, so staff do not know which symptoms to watch for
• Staff reluctant to take sick leave right after returning because work has piled up
• Meeting rooms, hot desks and toilets are used by many people
• No business continuity plan for when several staff must watch for symptoms

Thailand itself found a clade Ib case in a traveller from Africa in August 2024, according to the Department of Disease Control.

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person's skin or sores, prolonged face-to-face contact and contaminated items. The incubation period can be up to 21 days, so travellers may fall ill after they are back at work. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

The Travel Policy Companies Should Have

1. Check the disease situation at the destination before approving travel, using WHO and Department of Disease Control notices
2. Brief staff before they travel on protection and symptoms to watch for
3. Ask staff to watch for symptoms for 21 days after returning, and tell HR immediately if they have fever, a rash or swollen lymph nodes
4. Allow work from home when symptomatic, without affecting entitlements
5. Protect the personal data of staff who are ill
6. Have an office disinfection plan that can be activated immediately when a case is confirmed

When a Recently Returned Employee Has Mpox

1. Have the employee see a doctor and follow public health advice; call 1422 in Thailand
2. Identify the areas they used, such as their desk, meeting rooms, toilets and company car
3. Close the areas temporarily and call in the fogging team
4. Tell close colleagues to watch for symptoms, following officials' advice
5. Reopen after disinfection, with a report so staff feel confident

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 Companies with Travelling Staff Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. A new strain crossed continents within a day
2. The long incubation period means staff may fall ill after returning
3. Offices have many shared spaces
4. It reduces the risk of a whole team being off work
5. It shows occupational health responsibility to staff
6. It reduces worry and rumours in the organisation
7. It also prevents other travel-related infections
8. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell in the office
9. It provides reports for ISO systems and audits
10. It comes with a tax invoice for expense records

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Must the whole office close? A: Usually not. Follow public health advice and deal with the areas the patient used. Q: When can staff return after the office is fogged? A: Typically about 30 minutes after fogging, and it can be done outside working hours. 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 companies sign an annual disinfection contract? 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 Sweden shows that a new strain left Africa within a day of the emergency declaration. Companies with a travel policy and disinfection plan ready can protect both their staff and their business. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for offices and workplaces, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping desks, meeting rooms and high-touch points every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268