The True Story: An Itchy Rash That Led the Patient to a Dermatologist

On 3 October 2022, Vietnam's Ministry of Health announced its first mpox case, a 35-year-old woman from Ho Chi Minh City who had returned from Dubai on 23 September. She had fever, fatigue, body aches and itchy red bumps on her arms, face and body. Before confirmation, she was first examined at Từ Dũ Hospital, then Ho Chi Minh City Dermatology Hospital tested and confirmed the infection, and she was isolated for treatment at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases. Close contacts were monitored as required, and no further infections had been found at the time.

The Key Lesson: Dermatology Clinics Are Where People with Rashes Walk In First

People with bumps or rashes often see a dermatologist first, so dermatology and aesthetic clinics in Thailand may be among the first to meet a patient. Points to care for are:

• Reception counters and waiting areas, where people with rashes sit alongside beauty customers
• Treatment beds and laser machines in direct contact with customers' skin
• Bed covers, hair wraps and gowns used in rotation
• Skin cameras and equipment that touch many customers
• Staff and medical assistants who touch customers' skin every day

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.

Risk Register for Dermatology and Aesthetic Clinics

1. People with unexplained rashes waiting among beauty customers: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: screen at booking and provide a separate waiting area for anyone with a rash or fever. Owner: reception
2. Beds and equipment not wiped between patients: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: cover beds with single-use sheets and wipe equipment with disinfectant every time. Owner: medical assistant
3. Staff touching rashes without gloves: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: require gloves and masks every time skin is examined or touched. Owner: clinic's responsible physician
4. No referral pathway or public health notification: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: set referral steps and keep the 1422 number handy. Owner: clinic manager
5. The clinic not disinfected after a suspected case: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: wipe the examination room immediately and fog the clinic on a schedule. Owner: clinic manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Dermatology Clinics

1. Screen at booking, asking about rashes, bumps, fever and travel history
2. Separate the waiting area for people with rashes from aesthetic treatment customers
3. Wear gloves and a mask every time you examine or touch skin
4. Cover and wipe beds and equipment between every patient
5. Have a referral process, and report to the 1422 hotline when you find a suspected case
6. Fog the clinic on a schedule after closing
7. Train the team to recognise mpox symptoms and advise without stigma

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: What does an mpox rash look like? A: Vietnam's first patient had itchy red bumps on her arms, face and body, with fever and body aches. A doctor should make the diagnosis. Q: Do aesthetic clinics need to screen too? A: They should, because customers with skin concerns may have a rash from an undiagnosed infectious disease. 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 aesthetic clinic chains 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 Vietnam shows that dermatology clinics are among the first places patients walk into. Clinics that assess risk and keep clean systematically protect both customers and staff. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for dermatology and aesthetic clinics, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping beds and equipment between patients.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268