The True Story: A Patient with No Travel History

On 23 June 2022, the South African government confirmed the country's first mpox case: a man in Johannesburg with no history of travel abroad. Officials began tracing contacts immediately.

No travel history means the patient was infected within the country, so places where people spend every day together, such as workplaces, need practical basic measures.

The Key Lesson: Call Centres Share Equipment Across Shifts

Call centres in Thailand run several shifts around the clock. Points to watch are:

• Headsets and ear cushions in direct skin contact and passed across shifts
• Keyboards and mice used day and night
• Fabric hot-desk chairs with no regular owner
• Rest rooms and nap sofas shared by night-shift staff
• Small meeting and coaching rooms used by people in turn

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 Call Centres

1. Headsets passed across shifts without changing cushions: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: personal headsets or new cushions for every person. Owner: IT manager
2. Keyboards and mice not wiped at shift change: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe before every shift with a device-safe disinfectant. Owner: team leader
3. Shared nap sofas and blankets: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: remove communal blankets and wipe leather sofas daily. Owner: facilities
4. Staff work with a rash for fear of losing pay: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: sick leave policy and work from home where possible. Owner: HR
5. Whole floor never disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the floor on a schedule at quiet times. Owner: building manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Call Centres

1. Give personal headsets or new cushions for everyone
2. Wipe keyboards, mice and desks before each shift
3. Remove communal blankets from rest rooms
4. Wipe leather sofas and chairs daily
5. Allow sick leave or home working when symptomatic
6. Fog the whole floor on a schedule
7. Set up handwashing points at every entrance

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: Why is the South African case notable? A: Because the first case had no travel history, meaning he was infected within the country. Q: Can disinfectant be used on keyboards? A: Yes, with a well-wrung cloth dampened with disinfectant; never pour or spray directly onto electronics. 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 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 South Africa is a reminder that a patient may have no travel history at all. Call centres where staff share equipment across shifts should assess risk and clean every day. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for call centres, hot-desk offices and staff rest rooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping keyboards, mice, headsets and desks.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268