The True Story: When Most Patients Are Children

An epidemiological study published in Eurosurveillance analysed mpox cases in Burundi from 3 July to 9 September 2024, when clade Ib was spreading into the country. It found:

• Of 607 samples, 154 were confirmed cases
• 85 cases, or 55.2%, were children under 15, and the most affected age group was children aged 0 to 4
• 59.1% of cases were in the capital area, Bujumbura

The researchers said there was not enough data to conclude the exact routes of transmission, but the figures clearly show that children were heavily affected in this outbreak, unlike the image many people have of the disease.

Why Children's Play Areas Need Special Care

Young children play close together, handle the same toys, put their hands in their mouths and cannot yet keep themselves clean well. Places where many children gather therefore need higher cleanliness standards than ordinary spaces.

• Indoor playgrounds and kids' zones in malls are used by children from many families in a day
• Ball pits, slides and soft mats have crevices that are hard to wipe
• Shared toys are handled and mouthed constantly
• Nappy-changing rooms and children's toilets
• Swimming schools, music classes and children's activity centres

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person's skin or sores and through contaminated items, and young children are a group that may become seriously ill. For children, close contact during play and shared toys are things operators should pay attention to. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Kids' Zones, Indoor Playgrounds and Children's Activity Centres

1. Put up signs asking parents not to bring children with fever, a rash or blisters
2. Set up a handwashing point at the entrance, and have children wash their hands before and after playing
3. Disinfect toys and high-touch surfaces on a schedule, every 2 to 3 hours at busy times
4. Wash and disinfect the balls in ball pits on a schedule based on the number of users
5. Clean nappy-changing rooms after every use
6. Fog the whole area after closing on a schedule, to reach crevices in slides, mats and hard-to-wipe equipment
7. Have a response plan for when you are told a child who played there has an infectious illness

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 Children's Play Areas Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Real data found more than half of patients in Burundi were children
2. Young children mouth their hands and play close together
3. Toys and equipment have crevices that wiping misses
4. Parents choose venues based on cleanliness
5. It also prevents hand, foot and mouth disease and other childhood infections
6. It reduces the risk of having to close
7. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell to bother children
8. Fogging after closing means normal opening hours
9. It provides reports for malls or parents
10. It comes with a tax invoice for businesses

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can children really get mpox? A: Yes. In Burundi more than half of confirmed cases were children under 15. If a child has fever, a rash or blisters, take them to a doctor. Q: When can children play again after fogging? A: Typically about 30 minutes after fogging, and it is usually done after closing. 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 a mall kids' zone get a monthly 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 Burundi reminds us that mpox is not only an adult disease. Places where children gather should keep high, consistent cleanliness standards so that parents can trust them. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for kids' zones and indoor playgrounds, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping toys and high-touch surfaces during the day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268