The True Story: From 6 Cases to 28 in Under a Month

On 20 August 2024, health authorities in Côte d'Ivoire reported 28 confirmed mpox cases nationwide, up from 6 on 1 August, and 1 death. The death and some of the cases were in Abidjan, the country's economic capital. That year's cases were clade 2. The National Public Hygiene Institute (INHP) said the top priority was to break chains of transmission, identify contacts, and isolate and monitor them, alongside stronger surveillance. In the same period, WHO had just declared a public health emergency of international concern the week before.

The Key Lesson: Port Cities Connect People from Many Countries

Abidjan is a port city and an important economic centre in West Africa, just as Thai ports such as Laem Chabang and Khlong Toei see seafarers, truck drivers and workers from many countries rotating all the time. Points to care for are:

• Crew accommodation on board, where people live together for weeks
• Passenger terminals and immigration points at ports
• Rest rooms for truck drivers and port workers
• Toilets and canteens in the port area
• Passenger boats and ferries, where passengers sit close together

How Mpox Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, mpox spreads mainly through close contact with an infected person's skin or sores, and can also spread through contaminated objects such as clothing, bedding and towels. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Guidelines for Ports and Shipping Businesses

1. Screen crew for symptoms before they go ashore, following international communicable disease control checkpoint guidance
2. Isolate crew with a rash or fever in an isolation cabin on board and notify officials
3. Do not share towels or bedding in crew accommodation
4. Wipe touch points in passenger terminals, toilets and canteens several times a day
5. Fog crew accommodation on a schedule and after a case
6. Fog passenger boats and ferries after each day of service
7. Coordinate with the communicable disease control checkpoint and the 1422 hotline when a suspected case is found

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 Ports and Shipping Businesses Should Have a Disinfection Plan

1. Ports connect people from many countries
2. Crew live together in limited space for weeks
3. An outbreak on board disrupts shipping
4. It protects port workers and officials
5. It also prevents flu and COVID-19
6. Fogging reaches whole cabins and passenger terminals
7. It will not damage fabric bedding or metal on board
8. No harsh smell lingers in the cabins
9. Areas can be used again about 30 minutes after fogging
10. It comes with a tax invoice and 3% withholding for shipping companies

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How did Côte d'Ivoire respond to mpox? A: It strengthened surveillance, worked to break chains of transmission, identified contacts, and isolated and monitored them, according to AFP's report. Q: What should be done if a crew member has a rash on board? A: Isolate the crew member in an isolation cabin, notify the communicable disease control checkpoint before berthing, and follow officials' advice. 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 shipping companies request a quotation for fogging? 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 Côte d'Ivoire shows that cases can rise quickly in port cities where people rotate constantly. Ports and shipping businesses that keep clean systematically protect both seafarers and workers. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for ports, ships and worker accommodation, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping touch points on board and at the port.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268