The True Story: Two Cases in the Capital

On 17 April 2025, Malawi's Ministry of Health confirmed two mpox cases in Lilongwe after tests on 16 April. The first had been reported by Bwaila Hospital on 20 March and the second on 9 April.

The ministry urged calm, prompt reporting of suspected cases, good hygiene, and avoiding skin contact with infected people, working with WHO, US CDC and Africa CDC.

The Key Lesson: Stylists Touch Customers' Heads for Hours

Hair, braiding and extension salons in Thailand offer long services with direct scalp contact. Points to watch are:

• Braiding and extensions with hours of hand-to-scalp contact
• Combs, clips and hair ties used on several customers
• Capes and towels that must be changed for everyone
• Wash basins and neck rests in direct skin contact
• Wigs and extensions for trying on worn in turn

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 Hair and Braiding Salons

1. Stylist keeps working on a customer with a scalp rash: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: check the scalp before starting and politely reschedule if there is a rash. Owner: chair stylist
2. Combs and clips not disinfected between customers: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: soak or wipe for every customer, with several spare sets. Owner: owner
3. Capes and towels reused: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: one per customer, hot-washed. Owner: laundry staff
4. Try-on wigs and extensions not cleaned: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: use a mesh wig cap every time. Owner: sales staff
5. Basins and neck rests not wiped: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe after each customer. Owner: assistant

Ways to Reduce Risk in Hair and Braiding Salons

1. Check the scalp before every service
2. Disinfect combs and clips for every customer
3. One cape and towel per person hot-washed
4. Use a mesh cap before trying on wigs
5. Wipe basins and neck rests after each customer
6. Politely reschedule customers with rashes
7. Fog the salon 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 did Malawi advise the public? A: Stay calm, report suspected cases promptly, practise hygiene and avoid skin contact with infected people. Q: How should plastic combs be disinfected? A: Remove hair and wash with soapy water first, then soak or wipe with disinfectant for the label contact time. 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 salons 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 Malawi stresses avoiding skin contact with infected people. Salons that check scalps first and disinfect tools for every customer protect both stylists and customers. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for hair salons, braiding salons and extension salons, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping chairs, wash basins, neck rests and tool tables.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268