The True Story: A Contact Who Became a Case in Quarantine

On 25 August 2023, Malaysia's Health Director-General reported two mpox cases. The first was a foreign man living and working in Malaysia who travelled abroad from 6 to 10 July, developed symptoms on 19 July, and was confirmed on 26 July.

The second was a local man who was a close contact. He was ordered into quarantine on 27 July, developed symptoms while in quarantine, and was confirmed on 29 July. No other contacts had symptoms, and the first patient recovered and was discharged on 10 August.

The Key Lesson: A Karaoke Room Is a Closed Room with Shared Equipment

Karaoke venues in Thailand turn the same room over to several groups a night. Points to watch are:

• Microphones passed hand to hand and held close to the mouth
• Fabric sofas and cushions leaned on for hours
• Remotes and song-selection tablets pressed by everyone
• Closed rooms with little ventilation turned over immediately
• Toilets in the karaoke zone used all night

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 Karaoke Venues

1. Microphones not wiped between groups: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe handles at every group change and use replaceable mic covers. Owner: head room attendant
2. Fabric sofas and cushions not cleaned: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: use removable washable cushion covers and fog rooms on a schedule. Owner: venue manager
3. Remotes and tablets touched constantly: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe at every group change. Owner: room attendant
4. Rooms turned over with no ventilation: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: air rooms for 10-15 minutes between groups. Owner: shift manager
5. No plan if told a case visited: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: close the rooms involved and arrange emergency fogging. Owner: owner

Ways to Reduce Risk in Karaoke Venues

1. Wipe microphones at every group change
2. Replace mic covers on a schedule
3. Wipe remotes and tablets for every group
4. Use removable cushion covers and wash daily
5. Air the room before the next group
6. Fog every singing room outside opening hours
7. Wipe toilets hourly while open

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: How was Malaysia's second case found? A: He was a quarantined close contact of the first case who developed symptoms in quarantine, confirmed on 29 July 2023. Q: Can disinfectant be used on microphones? A: Wipe the handle and body with a well-wrung cloth dampened with disinfectant; do not pour or spray directly into the grille. 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 karaoke venues 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 Malaysia shows that tracing close contacts finds cases early. Karaoke venues that look after shared equipment in closed rooms reduce the chance of spread on their premises. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for karaoke venues, singing rooms and function rooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping microphones, remotes, tablets and tables.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268