The True Story: A Patient Living in Europe

On 7 September 2022, Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population announced the country's first mpox case: a 42-year-old Egyptian man residing in a European country. He was stable and isolated in hospital.

The case was found through epidemiological surveillance, and the ministry took measures for close contacts under WHO protocols. Egypt is a tourism country with many river cruises and passenger boats.

The Key Lesson: A Ship Is a Closed Space Where Passengers Spend Days Together

Cruise ships, overnight tour boats and island ferries in Thailand carry passengers from many countries. Points to watch are:

• Cabins that change occupants every trip
• Towels and bed linen washed on board or at port
• Grab rails and stairs touched by every passenger
• Dining rooms and buffets with shared serving utensils
• The ship's sick bay which must be able to separate people with rashes at sea

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 Cruise Ships and Passenger Boats

1. Cabins not fully disinfected between trips: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: fog cabins and change all linen every trip. Owner: head of housekeeping
2. Passenger with a rash has nowhere to be separated: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: set an isolation cabin and port coordination steps. Owner: ship's doctor
3. Rails and stairs not wiped during the day: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe every 2 hours at busy times. Owner: service crew
4. On-board laundry not reaching the right temperature: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: check machines and separate linen from sick passengers' cabins. Owner: laundry supervisor
5. No plan to notify port health: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: prepare contact lists and notification steps in advance. Owner: captain and trip manager

Ways to Reduce Risk on Cruise Ships and Passenger Boats

1. Fog cabins at every trip changeover
2. Change and wash all linen in hot water
3. Wipe rails and stairs on a schedule during the day
4. Change buffet utensils on rotation
5. Set an isolation cabin for passengers with rashes at sea
6. Ask passengers to report symptoms from boarding
7. Coordinate with port health when a suspected case is found

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: Who was Egypt's first case? A: A 42-year-old Egyptian man residing in Europe, stable and isolated in hospital. Q: Does a boat have to stop service for fogging? A: No. It can be done between trips, and spaces 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 boat operators 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 Egypt is a reminder that people living abroad travel back and forth all the time. Boats where passengers from many countries spend days together need a risk plan and disinfection every trip. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for cruise ships, overnight tour boats and ferries, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping grab rails, stairs, cabins and dining rooms on board.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268