The True Story: A First Case with Weakened Immunity

On 30 June 2022, Turkey's health minister announced the country's first mpox case, a 37-year-old with an immune deficiency. The patient was isolated, and contact tracing found no other cases.

The minister stressed that the disease spreads through close physical contact, a message that fits any service where staff touch customers' skin every day.

The Key Lesson: Barbers Touch Every Customer's Head, Face and Neck

Barbershops in Thailand serve dozens of customers a day. Points to watch are:

• Razors and clippers in skin contact that can cause tiny nicks
• Cutting capes and neck towels used on several customers
• Combs and neck brushes passed from customer to customer
• Barber chairs and headrests in direct contact with skin
• Hot towels for shaving that must be changed for 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 Barbershops

1. Razor blades reused: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: new blade for every customer, disposed of in a sharps box. Owner: owner
2. Clippers and combs not disinfected between customers: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe or soak to disinfect after every customer. Owner: chair barber
3. Capes used all day: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: paper neck strips and capes changed on rotation. Owner: chair barber
4. Customer has a rash on the scalp or face: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: politely postpone and suggest a doctor. Owner: shop manager
5. Hot towels not hot-washed: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: one towel per customer, hot-washed. Owner: laundry staff

Ways to Reduce Risk in Barbershops

1. Use a new razor blade for every customer
2. Disinfect clippers, combs and scissors after every customer
3. Use paper neck strips and rotate capes
4. Wipe chairs and headrests after each customer
5. One towel per person hot-washed
6. Politely postpone customers with rashes
7. Fog the shop 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 Turkey's first case like? A: Aged 37 with an immune deficiency, isolated, and contact tracing found no other cases. Q: Do clippers need disinfecting after every customer? A: Yes, because the blades touch skin directly and can cause tiny abrasions. 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 barbershops 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 Turkey stresses that mpox spreads through close contact. Barbershops where barbers touch customers' skin every day should assess risk and disinfect tools for every customer. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for barbershops, men's grooming salons and beauty shops, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping chairs, headrests, clippers and combs.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268