The True Story: Two Cases in Four Days, and a Fast Decision

On 13 January 2025, Sierra Leone confirmed the first mpox case of this outbreak. When a second case was found just four days later, President Julius Maada Bio declared a public health emergency straight away. The outbreak later grew quickly, especially in the capital Freetown, a densely populated coastal city with crowded markets and transport hubs. WHO and partners had to speed up support for surveillance, laboratory testing, protective equipment and vaccines.

Why Crowded Cities Are at Risk

In big cities, many people use the same spaces at the same time.

• Fresh markets have stalls side by side, with sellers and buyers handling money, bags and goods all day
• Bus stations and van terminals have waiting seats, handrails and shared toilets
• Public toilets are used by hundreds of people a day
• Vendors and daily workers often keep working when unwell because they would lose income

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hat Yai and other Thai cities have equally crowded fresh markets, weekend markets and bus stations.

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person and through contaminated items. Walking through a market is not generally a main route, but in crowded places close contact happens more easily, and toilets and shared touch points deserve special care. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Managers of Markets, Stations and Public Areas

1. Add handwashing points at entrances, toilets and food zones
2. Clean and disinfect public toilets several times a day
3. Disinfect handrails, waiting seats and ticket counters on a schedule
4. Teach vendors about symptoms and seeing a doctor, and support them in resting when ill
5. Fog the whole area after closing on a schedule, such as monthly, or when there is news of a case in the area
6. Coordinate with district and local public health, and call 1422 in Thailand when someone has suspected symptoms

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 Markets and Transport Stations Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Crowding lets infectious diseases spread fast
2. Public toilets are used by hundreds of people a day
3. It protects vendors, staff and passengers
4. It reduces the risk of having to close the market or station
5. Shoppers trust the cleanliness
6. It also prevents food-borne, respiratory and other diseases
7. Fogging can be done after closing, without disrupting trade
8. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell
9. It provides reports for local authorities
10. It comes with a tax invoice and 3% withholding tax for local authorities and private operators

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I catch mpox by walking through a market? A: The main route is close contact with an infected person. Ordinary market visits carry low risk, but good hygiene reduces the overall risk of infectious disease. Q: Does fogging a large market take long? A: ULV foggers cover wide areas quickly, and the area can be used again about 30 minutes after fogging. 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 local authorities 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 Sierra Leone shows that crowded cities must decide quickly and take shared spaces seriously. Markets and transport stations with a plan ready protect vendors, passengers and the local economy. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for markets, transport stations and public areas, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping toilets and high-touch points every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268