The True Story: A Rash During Quarantine

On 16 September 2022, Chongqing's municipal health commission reported mainland China's first known mpox case: a traveller from abroad passing through Chongqing in transit, who developed a rash during quarantine under the COVID-19 rules at the time.

Officials rated the transmission risk as low, because the person was quarantined on arrival and all close contacts were under medical observation. It shows that the first point travellers pass through is where screening works best.

The Key Lesson: Visa Centres Are Where Travellers from Many Countries Come

Visa centres, embassies and immigration offices in Thailand serve hundreds of visitors a day. Points to watch are:

• Fingerprint scanners that every applicant presses
• Pens, document trays and counters passed around all day
• Waiting-room chairs where visitors sit for long periods
• Touchscreen queue kiosks pressed by everyone
• Counter staff who take documents directly from visitors' hands

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 Visa Centres and Embassies

1. Fingerprint scanners not wiped between applicants: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe the scanner surface per the maker's guidance after each applicant. Owner: biometrics counter lead
2. Shared queue kiosks and pens: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe hourly with hand sanitiser beside the kiosk. Owner: receptionist
3. Visitors with rashes must still attend appointments: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: allow rescheduling without penalty with proof of illness. Owner: centre manager
4. Crowded waiting room in the morning: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: timed appointments and limited companions. Owner: appointments team
5. Service area never disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the centre on a schedule outside opening hours. Owner: building manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Visa Centres and Embassies

1. Wipe fingerprint scanners after each applicant
2. Place hand sanitiser at kiosks and counters
3. Wipe pens and document trays hourly
4. Use timed appointments to reduce crowding
5. Allow rescheduling when applicants are unwell
6. Fog the centre outside opening hours on a schedule
7. Have staff wash hands after handling batches of documents

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 China's first case found? A: A traveller in transit in Chongqing developed a rash during quarantine; officials rated the transmission risk as low. Q: What can fingerprint scanners be wiped with? A: Follow the scanner maker's guidance; Chemgene HLD4H can be used on counters and chairs. 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 visa centres or agencies 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 China shows that the first point travellers pass through is where screening works best. Visa centres and embassies that assess risk and look after touch points protect both staff and visitors. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for visa centres, embassies and immigration offices, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping counters, waiting-room chairs, pens and document trays.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268