The True Story: A Visitor Was the First Case

On 24 May 2022, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention (MoHAP) announced the country's first mpox case: a 29-year-old woman visiting from West Africa, who was receiving care.

MoHAP said it was carrying out an epidemiological investigation and tracing contacts, with active surveillance. One visitor can pass through many places in a city, from accommodation to restaurants and shops.

The Key Lesson: The Supermarket Is Where the Whole City Stops By

Tourists and residents alike need food and household goods. Points supermarkets should watch are:

• Trolley and basket handles that change hands hundreds of times a day
• Self-checkout screens pressed by customer after customer
• Fitting rooms in hypermarkets where clothes are tried on and hung back
• Checkout counters and belts constantly touched by goods and hands
• Staff rooms and lockers shared across several shifts

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 Supermarkets

1. Trolley and basket handles not cleaned: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: set up a handle-wiping point at the entrance and re-wipe hourly. Owner: branch manager
2. Self-checkout screens touched continuously: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe screens and buttons on a schedule with a device-safe disinfectant. Owner: head cashier
3. Staff with a rash still come to work: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: sick leave without pay cuts and a doctor visit. Owner: HR
4. Crowded staff room: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: stagger breaks and wipe tables, chairs and microwave after each shift. Owner: department head
5. No plan if a case is linked to the branch: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: emergency fogging contract and steps for notifying health officials. Owner: operations team

Ways to Reduce Risk in Supermarkets

1. Wipe trolley and basket handles before opening and during the day
2. Place hand sanitiser at the entrance, checkouts and toilets
3. Wipe self-checkout screens hourly at busy times
4. Clean fitting rooms and rest tried-on clothes before rehanging
5. Look after staff rooms with a clear wiping schedule
6. Fog the whole branch on a schedule outside opening hours
7. Send staff with rashes home to see a doctor

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: Who was the UAE's first case? A: A 29-year-old woman visiting from West Africa, according to MoHAP on 24 May 2022. Q: Does a supermarket have to close for fogging? A: No. Fogging can be booked outside opening hours, and the area can usually be used again about 30 minutes later. 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 supermarkets 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 the UAE is a reminder that one patient may visit many places in a city. Supermarkets with thousands of customers a day should assess risk and manage touch points systematically. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for supermarkets, hypermarkets and retail stores, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping trolley handles, baskets, checkout screens and counters.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268