The True Story: The First Cases in a Border Town

On 25 May 2025, Ethiopia's Ministry of Health reported the country's first mpox case in Moyale, a town near the Kenyan border. According to media reports, the first cases included a 21-day-old baby and its mother, and by 30 May the number of confirmed cases had risen to six. Africa CDC called for bold, aggressive action to control the outbreak at its source, because Moyale is in a border area with a great deal of cross-border travel.

Why Newborns Need Special Protection

WHO says newborns, young children and pregnant women are at risk of severe mpox, and infection during pregnancy can affect the baby. Newborns have immature immune systems and are close to their mothers and carers all the time.

• Holding, feeding and changing nappies mean close skin contact many times a day
• Swaddling cloths, cloth nappies and baby clothes touch the baby's skin directly
• Visiting relatives often want to hold and kiss the baby
• Postnatal wards and nurseries have several mothers and babies close together

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person's skin or sores, through contaminated items, and from mother to baby during pregnancy or after birth through close contact. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Labour Wards, Postnatal Wards and Mother-and-Baby Centres

1. Screen mothers, carers and relatives for fever, rash and blisters before they enter
2. Limit visitors, and have them wash their hands every time before touching the baby
3. Change swaddling cloths and sheets daily, and wash them in hot water
4. Disinfect beds, cots, changing tables and equipment between patients
5. Have an isolation room for mothers with suspected infectious illness, and let doctors assess the baby's care
6. Fog all rooms on a schedule, and immediately after a patient with a suspected infectious illness leaves

For Homes with a Newborn

• Relatives with fever or a rash should postpone their visit
• Wash hands every time before holding the baby
• Disinfect the changing table, cot rails and high-touch points every day
• If someone at home has an infectious illness, use separate rooms, consult a doctor, and fog the home after the patient recovers

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 Caring for Mothers and Babies Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Newborns are at risk of severe illness
2. There is a real report of a 21-day-old baby being infected
3. Baby care involves close contact all day
4. Postnatal wards have several mothers and babies close together
5. Families feel confident about safety
6. It also prevents other infections dangerous to babies
7. It uses a disinfectant with no harsh smell to bother babies
8. It is used in NHS hospitals in England
9. Empty rooms can be fogged without disturbing patients
10. It provides reports for standards audits

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can babies really get mpox? A: Yes. Newborns are a risk group according to WHO. If a baby has an unusual rash or blisters, see a doctor straight away. Q: Is it safe to fog a room where a baby stays? A: Fog the room while it is empty, and let the mother and baby return 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 mother-and-baby centres 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 Ethiopia reminds us that the first cases of an outbreak can include a baby only a few weeks old. Places and homes caring for mothers and babies should keep the highest cleanliness standards. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for labour wards, postnatal wards and homes with babies, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping changing tables and high-touch points every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268