The True Story: Virus in the Wastewater Before Anyone Fell Ill

On 24 September 2025, the Washington State Department of Health and the University of Washington detected clade I mpox in a wastewater sample from Pierce County, Washington, USA. At the time, no clade I patients had been reported in the county, and all clade I cases across the US at that point had travelled to countries with outbreaks. After consulting the US CDC, local public health expanded wastewater testing and monitored the situation closely, and a neighbouring county issued an advisory alerting clinicians to watch for possible cases. A few weeks later, California found clade I cases with no travel history.

What Wastewater Surveillance Tells Us

Wastewater testing is a method many countries' health agencies use to track disease in communities, because infected people may shed the virus's genetic material before they see a doctor, or even if they never do. Finding the virus in wastewater is therefore an early warning signal that there may be infected people in the area. Finding the virus in wastewater does not mean wastewater is a route of transmission. It is a tool that tells you when to get ready.

Why Building Managers Should Think the Same Way

Office buildings, malls, hospitals, hotels and industrial estates have thousands of people coming and going every day. Waiting for a confirmed case before finding a provider, buying disinfectant and making a plan is usually too late.

• News of an outbreak in a neighbouring country is a warning signal
• Department of Disease Control announcements of new cases in the country are a warning signal
• Staff returning from outbreak areas are a warning signal
• A customer or tenant reporting illness is a signal to act immediately

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person and through contaminated items. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

A Three-Level Plan for Building Managers

Watch level (when there is news of an outbreak nearby)

1. Review your infectious disease plan and list of responsible people
2. Stock a standards-tested disinfectant and protective equipment
3. Arrange a disinfection provider in advance

Ready level (when there are cases in your area or province)

1. Wipe high-touch points more often, such as lifts, toilets and doors
2. Communicate neutrally with building users, with information from the Department of Disease Control
3. Fog common areas on a schedule

Response level (when there is a case in the building)

1. Coordinate with public health officials and call 1422 in Thailand
2. Fog the areas the patient used within a day, with a report

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 to Prepare a Disinfection Plan Before There Are Cases

1. Warning signals usually come before the first case
2. You can decide quickly when the time comes
3. You do not have to scramble for a provider in a crisis
4. Costs are easier to control than emergency spending
5. Building users trust your management
6. It prevents many infectious diseases at once
7. It uses a standards-tested disinfectant that will not damage materials
8. Fogging can be done outside opening hours
9. It provides reports for audits
10. It comes with a tax invoice for juristic persons

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does finding the virus in wastewater mean you can catch it from water? A: No. Wastewater testing is a surveillance tool and does not mean wastewater is a main route of transmission. Q: If I sign a contract in advance, do I have to fog every month? A: No. Choose a routine schedule that suits you, and call for urgent service when something happens. 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 large buildings 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 Washington State shows that warning signals usually come before the first case. Building managers who plan from the watch level onwards respond faster and protect building users better. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service, both routine and urgent, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant to keep in stock for wiping high-touch points every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268