The True Story: A Disease Named After the Animal It Was First Found In

According to the World Health Organization, the monkeypox virus was first discovered in Denmark in 1958 during outbreaks among monkeys kept for research. That is where the name monkeypox comes from. Later studies found that monkeys are not the main natural reservoir. The likely reservoir is small rodents in Africa, such as certain squirrels, while monkeys and people are incidental hosts in the same way. The first human case was found in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Why This Matters for Places That Work with Animals

Mpox is a disease that passes between animals and people. The 2003 US pet shop case, where prairie dogs were infected by rodents imported from Africa, and the 2022 Paris case, where a dog caught it from its owners, both show that the virus can travel between people and animals in both directions. Thailand has many kinds of places where people work closely with animals.

• Zoos and open zoos where visitors touch or feed animals
• Animal farms and animal cafés where customers hold or play with animals
• Wildlife rescue centres and animal shelters
• Laboratory animal facilities
• Importers and traders of exotic animals

How Mpox Passes Between Animals and People

According to the World Health Organization, people can be infected by infected animals through bites or scratches, contact with an animal's blood, body fluids or sores, and through hunting or butchering wild animals. People can also pass the virus to animals they are close to. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Zoos, Animal Farms and Animal Care Centres

1. Health-screen newly arrived animals and quarantine them to veterinary standards before they join the group
2. Staff wear gloves and protective equipment when handling sick or wounded animals
3. Wash hands before and after touching animals, both staff and visitors
4. Clean and disinfect cages, pens and feeding equipment on a schedule
5. Fog animal houses and quarantine areas on a schedule, and immediately when an animal shows unusual illness
6. Notify a vet and the Department of Livestock Development when an animal has unusual blisters or sores
7. Staff with fever or a rash should stop work and see a doctor, so as not to pass infection to animals

For Animal Cafés and Zoos Where Visitors Touch Animals

• Provide handwashing points at the entrance and exit of contact zones
• Limit the number of visitors per session
• Disinfect benches, rails and seating between sessions
• Give animals rest and regular health checks

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 Places Working with Animals Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Mpox is a disease that passes between animals and people
2. There was a real outbreak in kept animals as far back as 1958
3. It protects animal care staff
4. It protects valuable and rare animals
5. Visitors trust your standards
6. It also prevents other animal infections
7. It reaches cage gaps and animal houses that are hard to wipe
8. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell to bother animals
9. It provides reports for standards inspections
10. It comes with a tax invoice for organisations

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is it called monkeypox if monkeys are not the main reservoir? A: Because it was first found in laboratory monkeys in 1958. WHO now recommends the name mpox. Q: Can animal houses with animals be fogged? A: Move the animals out during fogging and let them back after the time the team gives, typically about 30 minutes. 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 zoos and farms 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 Denmark more than 60 years ago reminds us that this disease was first found in animals kept by people. Places that work closely with animals should keep hygiene standards that protect both people and animals. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for animal houses, cages and quarantine areas, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping equipment and high-touch areas every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268