The True Story: A Tourist in a Rented House

On 22 August 2022, Cuba's health ministry announced that a 50-year-old Italian tourist, the country's first mpox case, had died on 21 August.

He stayed in a rented house and visited several western provinces. The autopsy found sepsis from bronchopneumonia and multiple organ damage. The case puts tourist rental homes in focus for cleaning between guests.

The Key Lesson: Holiday Rentals Change Guests Every Few Days

Holiday rentals, pool villas and homestays in Thailand host many foreign guests, but many have no professional housekeeping. Points to watch are:

• Mattresses, pillows and blankets that must be changed and washed every guest
• Pool towels and sun-lounger cushions used guest after guest
• Fabric sofas and rugs that are hard to clean
• Several bathrooms in a villa that must all be wiped
• Remotes, door handles and switches touched by every guest

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 Holiday Rentals and Pool Villas

1. Part-time cleaners miss spots: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: use a cleaning checklist with photos of every room. Owner: owner
2. Sheets and towels not washed hot enough: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: use a laundry with hot washing or temperature-controlled machines. Owner: rental manager
3. Fabric sofas and lounger cushions never disinfected: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: use washable covers and fog on a schedule. Owner: rental manager
4. Guest falls ill but does not know whom to contact: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: guest guide with nearby hospital numbers and hotline 1422. Owner: owner
5. Next guest checks in the same day after a sick guest: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: leave a gap and fog the whole house before new guests. Owner: bookings manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Holiday Rentals

1. Use a cleaning checklist for every room and guest
2. Hot-wash sheets and towels
3. Wipe remotes, handles and switches at every changeover
4. Use washable covers on sofas and cushions
5. Give nearby hospital details in the guest guide
6. Fog the whole house on a schedule or after a sick guest
7. Leave a gap before new guests if the previous guest was ill

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 Cuba's first case? A: A 50-year-old Italian tourist who stayed in a rented house and toured several provinces, and died on 21 August 2022. Q: When can a pool villa take guests after fogging? A: Usually about 30 minutes later, so it fits on changeover day. 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 rentals or villa management 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 Cuba is a reminder that more tourists now stay in rented homes. Rentals with proper cleaning and disinfection between guests earn good reviews and protect every guest. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for holiday rentals, pool villas and homestays, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping remotes, door handles, switches, bathrooms and pool loungers.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268