The True Story: An 11-Year-Old Boy and the Return of a Disease Gone for Nearly 40 Years

In September 2017, an 11-year-old boy was admitted to the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, with symptoms later confirmed as mpox. Nigeria's Centre for Disease Control was notified on 22 September. It was the disease's return to Nigeria after the last reported case in 1978. By 17 November 2017 there were 146 suspected cases from 22 states, with 42 laboratory-confirmed cases from 14 states. Most confirmed patients were adults aged 21 to 40. One patient with an immunosuppressive illness died. Strikingly, researchers found three family clusters, suggesting person-to-person spread, and in one household the transmission rate reached 71%, meaning most household members who had contact with the patient were infected.

Why Multigenerational Homes Need Extra Care

Many Thai families live across several generations, with grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren in the same house. They share a bathroom, sleep together and care for one another closely. That is warmth, but it is also a setting where infectious diseases spread easily.

• Young children and older people in the same home, both groups needing special care
• One bathroom for many people
• Shared beds and blankets
• Close care of the sick without protective equipment
• The 71% figure tells us that once a disease enters a home, household members may catch it from one another readily

How Mpox Spreads at Home

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 such as bedding and towels. The home is therefore one of the places with the highest chance of contact. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

When Someone in a Multigenerational Home Falls Ill, How Should the Home Be Arranged?

1. See a doctor and follow public health advice; call 1422 in Thailand
2. Give the patient a separate room, away from children's and older people's rooms
3. Assign one main carer who is healthy, and have them wear gloves and a mask
4. Separate towels, sheets, plates and cups
5. Clean the bathroom after every use by the patient if there is no separate bathroom
6. Wash the patient's laundry separately in hot water, without shaking it
7. Have household members watch for symptoms for 21 days, and see a doctor at once if fever or a rash appears
8. Fog the home after the patient recovers, before others use the room again

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 Large Families Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Household transmission reached 71% in some families
2. The home has both children and older people
3. Bathrooms and beds are shared
4. The team wears protective equipment, so the family does not take the risk
5. It reaches beds, sofas and curtains
6. It eases everyone's worry
7. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell to bother older people and children
8. It also prevents other germs
9. You can return home quickly
10. You gain confidence before children and older people use the room again

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if there is no separate bathroom? A: Let the patient use the bathroom last if possible, and disinfect taps, the flush handle and the toilet seat after every use. Q: Is fogging safe in a home with children and older people? A: Yes. Household members should leave the area during fogging and can return about 30 minutes afterwards. 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: Is the service available for homes in other provinces? A: Ask about service areas on 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 Nigeria tells us that once a disease enters a home, family members may catch it from one another readily. Multigenerational homes should have a clear plan for isolating the patient and disinfecting, to protect children and older people. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service after the patient recovers, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping the bathroom and high-touch points while caring for the patient.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268