The True Story: WHO Assessed Risk Region by Region

On 14 August 2024, the WHO International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee held its first meeting on the 2024 mpox upsurge, and the WHO Director-General declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). The statement said risk was high in eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, and moderate elsewhere, an example of assessing risk according to each area's context.

The Key Lesson: Risk Must Be Assessed in Each Place's Context

WHO didn't give every region the same risk, and Thai businesses should assess risk in their own context too. Things to consider are:

• The type of contact between staff and customers, and how close it is
• Shared items such as linen, beds and equipment
• Travel by staff and customers to higher-risk areas
• Vulnerable groups such as children, older people and the immunocompromised
• How ready your plans are for screening, referral and cleaning

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 General Businesses (a Template to Adapt)

1. No one assigned to follow public health news: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: assign someone to follow WHO and Department of Disease Control announcements. Owner: operations manager
2. Shared touch points not cleaned systematically: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: set a wiping schedule with disinfectant and log it. Owner: facilities
3. Staff not knowing what to do if they have symptoms: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: issue symptom-reporting guidance and the 1422 number. Owner: HR
4. No emergency fogging plan: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: sign a contract or keep a provider's number ready in advance. Owner: procurement
5. The risk register not reviewed when things change: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: review every quarter and whenever new announcements come out. Owner: management

Steps to Build Your Own Business Risk Register

1. Identify contact points, person to person and person to object
2. Score likelihood and impact as high, medium or low
3. Rank the risks, starting with critical ones
4. Set a mitigation and an owner for every item
5. Line up disinfectant and a fogging provider in advance
6. Communicate the plan to every employee
7. Review the register every quarter and when new announcements appear

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: How did WHO assess mpox risk in 2024? A: High in eastern DRC and neighbouring countries, and moderate elsewhere. Q: How often should businesses review their risk register? A: At least every quarter, and whenever public health authorities issue new announcements. 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 businesses get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. 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 WHO shows that risk must be assessed in context. Businesses that build their own risk register know where to act first. Prevent it with the [World Health Disinfection disinfection service]({SERVICE}) for offices, shops and every kind of business premises, and [Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant]({PRODUCT}) for wiping shared touch points on the schedule in your risk register.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268