The True Story: One Parlour, 21 Customers Infected

A report in the New England Journal of Medicine, summarised by CIDRAP in December 2022, described a tattoo parlour in Cádiz, Spain, that served 58 customers between 6 and 19 July 2022. Twenty-one customers (36%) caught mpox. Of those infected, 67% were female and 43% were children. The researchers concluded that piercing or tattooing appeared to be the route of transmission, which goes against the common belief that mpox spreads only within certain groups.

The Key Lesson: Work That Breaks the Skin Needs Strict Infection Control

Tattooing and piercing open the skin, so contaminated equipment and surfaces can carry the virus into the body. Businesses in Thailand that should pay attention include:

• Tattoo parlours and studios, including temporary tattoo stalls
• Ear and body piercing shops, including those serving children
• Beauty clinics doing skin procedures such as eyebrow tattooing and microneedling
• Nail and waxing salons, where skin may be grazed
• Fairs and events with temporary tattoo or piercing booths

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, including equipment that touches sores or skin. Mpox is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Risk Register for Tattoo and Piercing Studios

1. Reusing equipment without sterilisation: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: single-use needles and equipment, and standard sterilisation of reusable items. Owner: every artist
2. Couches, chairs and equipment tables not wiped between customers: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: cover surfaces with single-use barriers and wipe with disinfectant every time. Owner: station artist
3. Customers with a rash or sores receiving services: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: check skin and ask about symptoms before starting work. Owner: reception
4. No customer records for follow-up after an incident: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: keep dates, times and contact details in line with data protection law. Owner: studio owner
5. The studio not disinfected as a whole: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: fog the studio on a schedule and immediately after an incident. Owner: studio owner

Ways to Reduce Risk in Tattoo and Piercing Studios

1. Use single-use needles, ink and ink caps for each customer
2. Put on new gloves every time and wash hands before and after each service
3. Check customers' skin and reschedule if there is a rash or sores
4. Cover and wipe couches, chairs and equipment tables between every customer
5. Keep customer records so public health officials can follow up if needed
6. Fog the studio on a schedule after closing
7. Call the 1422 hotline if a customer reports symptoms after a service

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

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can you really catch mpox from a tattoo? A: A 2022 report from Spain found 21 of 58 tattoo parlour customers infected, and researchers pointed to tattooing or piercing as the likely route. Q: Are children who get their ears pierced at risk? A: In this case, 43% of those infected were children, so shops serving children should be especially strict about hygiene. 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 small tattoo studios book 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 Cádiz shows that work that breaks the skin needs strict infection control. Studios that assess risk and keep clean systematically protect both customers and their reputation. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for tattoo studios, piercing shops and beauty clinics, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping surfaces between customers.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268