The Real Story: What Researchers Found in Two Patients' Rooms

In June 2022, researchers in Germany sampled surfaces in and next to the rooms of two hospitalised mpox patients. The results were published in Eurosurveillance on 30 June 2022.

• Every surface the patients touched directly was contaminated
• Frequently used fabrics, such as towels, shirts and pillowcases, were also contaminated
• Both bathrooms had the highest viral loads, including the flush lever, washbasin and toilet seat
• Viral loads reached about 100,000 copies per square centimetre, and live virus was isolated from samples with very high viral loads

The researchers stressed that finding contamination does not prove that touching surfaces causes infection, but the data helps show where cleaning should focus.

Why the Bathroom Should Come First

The bathroom is a space everyone uses, where skin touches surfaces directly and humidity is high. In homes, offices, hotels and public buildings, a single bathroom may be used by dozens to hundreds of people a day.

• Toilet seats and flush levers touch skin and hands every time
• Basins and taps are touched before hands are washed
• Door handles and locks are touched after using the toilet
• Shared hand towels are still found in many places
• Shower heads and shower floors in hotels and gyms

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person and may spread through contaminated items. Research on surfaces is therefore supporting information that helps plan cleaning, not a reason to panic. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

How to Look After a Bathroom Properly

1. Clean off dirt first, then disinfect, because dirt stops disinfectant working fully
2. Wipe from clean to dirty areas, starting with taps and basin and finishing with the toilet
3. Leave the disinfectant on for the full contact time stated by the manufacturer
4. Use colour-coded cloths for the toilet and do not reuse them elsewhere
5. Replace shared hand towels with paper towels or hand dryers
6. Clean more often in busy bathrooms
7. Fog the whole bathroom when someone with an infectious illness has used it, or as a routine

In a Home with a Patient

• If possible, give the patient a separate bathroom
• If not, wipe the flush lever, toilet seat, taps and door handle after every use by the patient
• Keep towels separate and wash them in hot water
• Once the patient recovers, fog the bathroom and bedroom before others use them 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 the Bathroom Should Be First in Your Disinfection Plan

1. Research found the highest viral loads in patients' bathrooms
2. Skin touches bathroom surfaces directly
3. Bathrooms are humid and heavily used
4. It also prevents other infections, such as gastrointestinal illness
5. A venue's image shows in its bathrooms
6. Customers and staff care about clean bathrooms
7. It uses a disinfectant without the harsh smell of bleach
8. It does not corrode fittings and metal fixtures like strong bleach
9. Fogging can be done outside opening hours
10. It provides reports confirming cleanliness standards

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I catch mpox from a public toilet? A: The risk is low. Research has not proved that touching surfaces causes infection, but clean bathrooms reduce the overall risk of infectious disease. Q: When can a bathroom be used after fogging? A: Typically 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 it be used on sanitaryware and metal taps? A: Yes, following the manufacturer's instructions.

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 real research from Germany shows that the bathroom had the highest viral load in a patient's room. Looking after bathrooms properly is therefore the most worthwhile starting point for any infection prevention plan. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for bathrooms in homes, offices and hotels, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping taps, basins and toilet seats every day.

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