The True Story: The First Suspected Case in Vienna

On 22 May 2022, Austrian authorities reported the country's first suspected mpox case, in Vienna, as several European countries confirmed cases one after another that week.

Vienna has many theatres, opera houses and concert halls. Audiences sit side by side in closed rooms for hours, and the same seats host several audiences a day.

The Key Lesson: Fabric Cinema Seats Host Several Audiences a Day

Cinemas and theatres in Thailand have audiences rotating all day. Points to watch are:

• Fabric seats and armrests in direct skin contact for hours
• Blankets in premium cinemas lent to viewers
• 3D glasses passed from one screening to the next
• Actor dressing rooms and costumes that are shared
• Ticket and popcorn counters touched by customers 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 Cinemas and Theatres

1. Premium-cinema blankets not washed every screening: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: change blankets every screening and hot-wash them. Owner: cinema manager
2. Fabric seats not cleaned between screenings: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe armrests every screening and fog the hall on a schedule. Owner: head of housekeeping
3. 3D glasses not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe every pair after return. Owner: front-of-house staff
4. Shared actor costumes: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: wash after performances and give individual costumes where possible. Owner: wardrobe department
5. No plan if a viewer falls ill in the hall: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: set steps to close off seats and fog after that screening. Owner: branch manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Cinemas and Theatres

1. Change blankets every screening and hot-wash them
2. Wipe armrests and seat backs between screenings
3. Disinfect 3D glasses after every use
4. Look after dressing rooms wipe make-up tables and chairs daily
5. Wash costumes after every performance
6. Fog every hall outside screening times
7. Wipe ticket counters and food ordering screens

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: Where was Austria's first suspected case? A: In Vienna, reported on 22 May 2022. Q: Does a cinema have to stop screenings to fog? A: No. Fogging can be done after the last screening or before opening, and the hall can usually be used again in about 30 minutes. 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 cinemas 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 Vienna is a reminder that even a city of the arts can find cases. Cinemas and theatres that look after seats, blankets and shared items give audiences confidence. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for cinemas, theatres and concert halls, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping armrests, 3D glasses and counters.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268