The True Story: The Event Ended, but the Risk Didn't

The Darklands festival was held in Antwerp, Belgium, from 4 to 9 May 2022. Health officials later found that three mpox cases in Belgium were linked to the festival. The organisers emailed attendees at the request of the federal Risk Assessment Group, so that people who had attended could watch for symptoms and contact a doctor if they appeared.

The Key Lesson: Organisers Must Be Able to Reach Attendees After the Event

Concerts, festivals, trade shows and seminars in Thailand gather many people in one place. Points to care for are:

• The attendee database, needed to contact people when something happens
• Toilets, changing rooms and lockers used by many people
• Tents, accommodation and rest areas at multi-day events
• Rental items such as blankets, mats or costumes
• Staff and contractors working throughout the event

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 Event Organisers

1. No attendee contact details when an alert is needed: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: collect email or phone at ticketing, stating the purpose in line with data protection law. Owner: ticketing
2. Toilets and changing rooms not cleaned during the event: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: clean on rounds and wipe touch points with disinfectant. Owner: cleaning contractor
3. Rental items reused without washing: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: wash or disinfect before every rental. Owner: equipment team
4. No first-aid point for symptomatic people: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: set up a first-aid point that can separate symptomatic people. Owner: event medical team
5. Slow communication or causing panic: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: prepare alert messages in advance with public health authorities. Owner: communications

Ways to Reduce Risk for Event Organisers

1. Collect attendee contact details lawfully
2. Clean toilets and changing rooms on rounds throughout the event
3. Disinfect rental items before every rental
4. Set up a first-aid point that can separate symptomatic people
5. Fog the venue before and after the event
6. Prepare alert messages with public health authorities
7. Advise attendees to call the 1422 hotline if symptoms appear after the event

How ULV Fogging Helps

The [World Health Disinfection disinfection service]({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]({PRODUCT}). 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 did the Darklands organisers do when cases were found? A: They emailed attendees at the request of Belgium's federal Risk Assessment Group. Q: When should an event venue be fogged? A: Before opening and after closing, or on rounds during multi-day events. 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 organisers request a quotation? A: Yes. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Related Links and Sources

• [World Health Disinfection disinfection service]({SERVICE})
• [Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant and price]({PRODUCT})
• 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 Belgium shows that an event's risk doesn't end when the doors close. Organisers who assess risk and clean systematically protect both attendees and staff. Prevent it with the [World Health Disinfection disinfection service]({SERVICE}) for venues, changing rooms and toilets, and [Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant]({PRODUCT}) for wiping touch points during the event.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268