The True Story: Symptoms Began in the Quarantine Room

On 5 September 2022, a 30-year-old man flew from the Philippines to Hong Kong. Before that he had recently travelled to several countries, including Canada and the United States. Hong Kong still required travellers to quarantine in hotels at the time, and he began feeling unwell during quarantine. On 6 September 2022, the Hong Kong authorities confirmed he was Hong Kong's first mpox case. He was treated at Queen Mary Hospital, and the government raised its alert level under its response plan.

What Isolation Facilities Should Learn

Quarantine reduces the chance of spread into the community, but a room where a patient has stayed for several days becomes a space that needs proper care before it is handed to the next guest.

• Quarantine rooms have sheets, towels and surfaces the guest touched over several days
• Food containers passed in and out of the room
• Corridors and lifts used to move quarantined guests
• Food delivery and cleaning staff who must approach the room
• Airport transfer vehicles to the quarantine site

Thailand used many quarantine hotels and isolation facilities during COVID-19, and such places may be used again when a new infectious disease emerges.

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads through close contact with an infected person and through contaminated items such as bedding, clothing and towels. The incubation period can be up to 21 days, so travellers may develop symptoms several days after arrival. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Quarantine Hotels and Isolation Facilities

1. Have guests report symptoms daily, such as fever, rash, blisters and swollen lymph nodes
2. Staff do not enter rooms during quarantine, leaving food outside the door instead
3. Have guests put used linen in a bag that can be closed before it is collected, and wash it separately in hot water
4. Disinfect corridors, lifts and buttons on a schedule
5. When a guest checks out, remove linen with protective equipment, do not shake it, and fog the whole room before the next guest
6. If a guest has an infectious illness, keep the room closed until the disinfection team has worked, and coordinate with public health; call 1422 in Thailand
7. Fog transfer vehicles after every trip with travellers

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 Isolation Facilities Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Travellers may fall ill during quarantine
2. Rooms are occupied continuously for several days
3. It protects food delivery and cleaning staff
4. Rooms can be handed safely to the next guest
5. Government agencies want proof of disinfection
6. It also prevents other infections carried by travellers
7. It uses a disinfectant that will not damage furniture or fabrics
8. Rooms can be used again quickly
9. It provides reports for inspections
10. It comes with a tax invoice for hotels and agencies

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is quarantine still used for mpox? A: Measures depend on each country's public health rules. Follow the latest updates from the Department of Disease Control. Q: When can a new guest use a room 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 hotels get a per-room disinfection 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 Hong Kong shows that travellers may fall ill while staying in their room. Isolation facilities and hotels that host travellers should have clear room disinfection steps before handing a room to the next guest. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for guest rooms, corridors and transfer vehicles, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping lifts and high-touch points every day.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268