The True Story: Latin America's First Case

In late May 2022, Argentina's Ministry of Health confirmed the country's first mpox case: a man who had travelled to Spain. Argentina became the first country in Latin America to find a case in that outbreak.

The patient was isolated and officials traced contacts. It showed that intercontinental travel can carry a disease to the other side of the world within weeks.

The Key Lesson: Nail Technicians Hold Every Customer's Hands and Feet

Nail salons in Thailand serve dozens of customers a day, with direct skin contact. Points to watch are:

• Holding customers' hands and feet where technicians may see a rash or sore first
• Files, cuticle pushers and clippers used on customer after customer
• Foot baths and towels that change customers every hour
• Hand rests and spa chair cushions in direct skin contact
• Polish bottles and brushes handled 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 Nail Salons

1. Files and cuticle pushers reused without disinfection: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: use single-use files and disinfect metal tools after every customer. Owner: salon owner
2. Foot baths not disinfected between customers: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: clean and wipe baths each time and use bath liners. Owner: senior technician
3. Towels reused: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: one towel per customer, hot-washed. Owner: laundry staff
4. Technicians afraid to turn away a customer with a rash: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: a polite rescheduling script and advice to see a doctor. Owner: salon manager
5. Chair cushions and hand rests not wiped: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe after every customer and fog the salon on a schedule. Owner: station technician

Ways to Reduce Risk in Nail Salons

1. Use single-use files and buffers or a separate set per customer
2. Disinfect metal tools after every use
3. Clean and wipe foot baths between customers
4. One towel per person hot-washed
5. Wear gloves for pedicures or when there are wounds
6. Reschedule customers with rashes politely
7. Fog the salon outside opening hours on a schedule

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 Argentina's first case? A: A man who had travelled to Spain, confirmed in late May 2022. Q: What should a nail salon do if a customer has an unexplained rash? A: Politely reschedule, advise a doctor visit, and wipe and disinfect the areas the customer touched. 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 nail salons 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 Argentina is a reminder that diseases cross continents quickly. Nail salons whose technicians touch customers' skin every day should assess risk and disinfect systematically. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for nail salons, hand and foot spas and beauty shops, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping foot baths, spa chairs and nail tables.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268