The True Story: A Traveller Back from Europe

On 21 May 2022, Israel's Health Ministry confirmed the country's first mpox case: a man in his 30s who had just returned from Western Europe, who was treated in hospital.

At the same time several European countries were finding cases. Travellers heading home from the airport often share the same car with many strangers in one day, whether a taxi, a ride-hailing car or a shuttle.

The Key Lesson: A Car Cabin Is a Closed Space That Changes Passengers All Day

Taxi and ride-hailing drivers in Thailand carry dozens of passengers a day. Points to watch are:

• Fabric seats and backrests that passengers touch directly
• Door handles and seat belts that everyone has to touch
• Blankets or pillows in the car that some drivers offer passengers
• Bags and luggage that drivers help lift
• Charter cars and airport vans that run many trips a 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 Taxis and Hire Cars

1. Fabric seats not cleaned between trips: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: use removable washable seat covers and wipe leather seats every shift. Owner: vehicle owner
2. Door handles and seat belts touched constantly: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe with disinfectant between trips or every 2-3 trips. Owner: driver
3. Shared blankets or pillows: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: stop offering them or change them for every passenger. Owner: driver
4. Driver with a rash keeps driving: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: rest and see a doctor, with a platform option to pause without penalty. Owner: platform operator
5. Car never fogged: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the cabin on a schedule, such as monthly. Owner: fleet manager

Ways to Reduce Risk for Taxis and Hire Cars

1. Wipe handles and seat belts between trips
2. Use washable seat covers and hot-wash them
3. Stop sharing blankets or pillows or change them for each person
4. Air the cabin between passengers
5. Carry hand sanitiser for driver and passengers
6. Fog the whole fleet on a schedule at the depot or parking point
7. Drivers with rashes must rest and 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: What was the history of Israel's first case? A: A man in his 30s who had just returned from Western Europe, confirmed on 21 May 2022. Q: How long does fogging a car take? A: Not long, and the car can usually be used again about 30 minutes after fogging. 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 taxi or car rental companies 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 Israel is a reminder that travellers returning from abroad often begin with a ride in a hire car. A cabin that changes passengers all day needs a clear cleaning routine. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for taxi fleets, vans and airport transfer cars, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping door handles, seat belts and leather seats.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268