The True Story: An Outbreak with a Wildlife Warning

On 31 July 2024, the Central African Republic declared an mpox outbreak, with cases confirmed in several towns and villages and new infections in the capital, Bangui. Officials coordinated with neighbouring countries and asked people to report symptoms and avoid wild animals.

Patients were taken to hospital for free isolation and treatment, and officials warned against going to traditional healers. The wildlife warning is a reminder that mpox is a zoonotic disease.

The Key Lesson: People Who Handle Meat and Carcasses Daily Need Protection

Thailand is not an area where the virus circulates in wildlife, but preventing animal-borne disease should be a habit for anyone working with meat. Points to watch are:

• Butchering bare-handed where blood and fluids touch skin and cuts
• Chopping boards and knives used all day
• Buying animals of unknown origin which may be wild or sick
• Aprons and boots worn again without washing
• Worker changing rooms shared by everyone

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 Slaughterhouses and Meat Sellers

1. Workers butcher bare-handed with cuts on their hands: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: wear cut-resistant gloves and cover wounds every time. Owner: slaughterhouse supervisor
2. Buying wild animals or animals of unknown origin: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: accept only documented, inspected animals. Owner: purchasing
3. Boards and knives not cleaned between jobs: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wash and disinfect on a schedule, with separate boards by task. Owner: station worker
4. Aprons and boots not washed: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wash daily and store away from personal clothes. Owner: shift leader
5. Workers with a rash keep working: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: check skin before each shift and refer to a doctor. Owner: occupational health officer

Ways to Reduce Risk for Slaughterhouses and Meat Sellers

1. Wear cut-resistant gloves and cover wounds every time
2. Do not buy wild animals or animals of unknown origin
3. Wash and disinfect boards and knives on a schedule
4. Wash aprons and boots daily
5. Check for rashes and wounds before each shift
6. Wipe the changing room daily
7. Fog the premises outside working 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: Why did the CAR warn about wild animals? A: Because mpox is zoonotic, and contact with wild animals is one route of infection. Q: Can Chemgene HLD4H be used in food areas? A: Follow the label and manufacturer's guidance, and rinse food-contact surfaces as instructed. 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 slaughterhouses or meat shops 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 the Central African Republic is a reminder that mpox can pass from animals to people. Anyone who works with meat every day should protect themselves and keep clean systematically. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for slaughterhouses, meat markets and worker changing rooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping changing rooms, lockers and non-food-contact surfaces.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268