The True Story: A First Case and 21 Days of Quarantine

On 10 June 2022, Poland confirmed the country's first mpox case, a non-Polish citizen who was isolated in hospital.

Doctors had to report suspected and confirmed cases to sanitary authorities, cases had to be hospitalised, and contacts faced 21 days of quarantine, reflecting an incubation period long enough to require sustained monitoring.

The Key Lesson: Second-Hand Clothes Come from Unknown Previous Users

Second-hand shops and clothing bale markets are very popular in Thailand, with customers rummaging and trying on unwashed clothes. Points to watch are:

• Opening clothing bales sorted by staff bare-handed
• Rummaging through piles handled by dozens of customers at once
• Fitting rooms where tried-on clothes are put back
• Second-hand bedding and towels in direct skin contact once used
• Clothing buy-back counters taking items from homes of unknown history

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 Second-Hand Clothing Shops

1. Staff sort bales bare-handed: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: gloves and long sleeves while sorting, and handwashing afterwards. Owner: warehouse supervisor
2. Second-hand bedding and towels sold unwashed: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: hot-wash before sale or label items to wash before use. Owner: owner
3. Tried-on clothes returned to the pile: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: a separate basket for tried-on items, rested before return. Owner: shop floor staff
4. Buying items from a household with a patient: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: basic questions and bagging items separately before sorting. Owner: buying staff
5. Warehouse never fogged: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the warehouse and sorting area on a schedule. Owner: warehouse manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Second-Hand Clothing Shops

1. Wear gloves and long sleeves when sorting
2. Do not shake clothes in enclosed spaces
3. Hot-wash bedding and towels before sale
4. Label every item to be washed before use
5. Use a separate basket for tried-on clothes before rehanging
6. Fog the warehouse and sorting area on a schedule
7. Wipe counters and fitting rooms daily

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 contact measures did Poland set? A: Contacts faced 21 days of quarantine and cases had to be hospitalised. Q: What should I do with second-hand clothes I buy? A: Wash in water as hot as the fabric allows and dry fully before wearing. 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 shops or warehouses 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 Poland is a reminder that this disease needs long monitoring and clothing can be contaminated. Second-hand shops that protect staff and look after their warehouses let customers buy with confidence. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for second-hand clothing shops, sorting warehouses and clothing markets, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping counters, fitting rooms, rails and sorting tables.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268