The True Story: The First Case in a Host Country

In July 2022, Qatar's Ministry of Public Health announced the country's first mpox case. The patient was isolated and cared for under health measures while officials traced close contacts.

At the time Qatar was preparing to host the FIFA World Cup in late 2022, with fans arriving from many countries. The case shows that a country staging a major event has to think about infectious disease well before opening day.

The Key Lesson: International Sports Events Bring Many Nations Together

Thailand often hosts international running, boxing, football and other events. Points organisers should watch are:

• Athlete changing rooms with shared towels, benches and equipment
• Fan zones and stands where people stand close together for hours
• Venue first-aid rooms that see injured and unwell people from many groups
• Stadium public toilets used by thousands of people a day
• Athlete and media shuttles whose seats and grab rails are touched all 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 International Sports Events

1. Shared changing rooms and towels: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: give personal towels and fog changing rooms every match day. Owner: venue manager
2. Athlete or staff has a rash but does not report it: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: confidential symptom reporting and checks by the venue doctor. Owner: event medical officer
3. First-aid room has no separate area: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: set a separate corner for people with rashes and wipe exam beds after every patient. Owner: head of nursing team
4. Public toilets not cleaned often enough: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe touch points every 1-2 hours during the event. Owner: cleaning contractor
5. No communication plan if a case is found: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: prepare a plan with health authorities and messages in advance. Owner: event director

Ways to Reduce Risk for Sports Organisers

1. Fog the venue before the event including changing rooms, first-aid rooms and toilets
2. No shared towels use single-use or personal towels
3. Wipe benches and equipment with a standard disinfectant after each session
4. Clean toilets more often on high-attendance days
5. Set up a symptom reporting point easy for athletes and staff to reach
6. Train the venue medical team to recognise mpox rashes and the referral steps
7. Fog after the event before returning the venue

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: When did Qatar find its first mpox case? A: In July 2022, before the World Cup later that year. Q: When should a sports event be disinfected? A: Before opening, during match days in changing and first-aid rooms, and after the event before returning the venue. 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 event organisers 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
• 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 Qatar is a reminder that international sports events bring people from many countries into one place. Organisers who assess risk in advance protect athletes, staff and spectators alike. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for stadiums, changing rooms and fan zones, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping benches, sports equipment and first-aid beds.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268