The True Story: A 21-Day-Old Baby and Her Mother

On 25 May 2025, Ethiopian health authorities confirmed the country's first mpox case of the current African outbreak: a 21-day-old infant in Moyale, near the Kenyan border. The mother later tested positive too.

Both were in quarantine and stable. Officials traced the source of infection and set up an emergency coordination centre. The case stresses that young children can be infected through close everyday care.

The Key Lesson: One Carer Touches Many Children Every Day

Children's homes, orphanages and infant care centres in Thailand look after many children in one place. Points to watch are:

• Holding, bathing and nappy changes with skin contact all day
• Cots and blankets that need frequent washing
• Toys that go in mouths and are passed around
• Carers looking after several children who may carry germs from one child to another
• Young children who cannot describe symptoms so rashes are found late

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 Children's Homes and Orphanages

1. Carers do not wash hands between children: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: wash or sanitise hands at every child change and wear gloves for nappy changes. Owner: senior carer
2. Rashes in young children found late: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: daily skin checks during bathing, recorded. Owner: house nurse
3. Blankets and towels mixed up: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: name each child's items and hot-wash. Owner: room carer
4. Toys not cleaned: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: separate basket for used toys and wash daily. Owner: nursery teacher
5. No isolation room when a child has a rash: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: prepare an isolation room and a dedicated carer. Owner: home director

Ways to Reduce Risk in Children's Homes

1. Wash hands at every change of child
2. Wear gloves for nappy changes or applying creams
3. Check children's skin daily during bathing
4. Name blankets and towels for each child
5. Wash toys daily
6. Prepare an isolation room and dedicated carer for a child with a rash
7. Fog bedrooms and playrooms 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: Who was Ethiopia's first case? A: A 21-day-old infant in Moyale; the mother later tested positive, and both were stable. Q: Can disinfectant be used on children's toys? A: Wash toys with soapy water; use disinfectant per the label on surfaces like cots, floors and tables, and let them dry before children use them. 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 foundations or children's homes 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 Ethiopia stresses that young children can be infected through close care. Children's homes that wash hands between children and keep clean systematically protect the most vulnerable. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for children's homes, orphanages and infant care centres, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping cots, changing tables and playroom floors.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268