The True Story: First Cases on the Same Day in Two Countries

On 31 May 2022, Norway and Hungary each reported their first mpox case on the same day, only weeks after Europe's first cases appeared earlier that month.

Several countries finding first cases within a month shows how a close-contact disease travels with people during holiday season, when many visit pools and water parks.

The Key Lesson: At the Pool, the Risk Is on Land, Not in the Water

Public pools, fitness pools and water parks in Thailand serve hundreds of users a day. Points to watch are:

• Loan towels that must each be hot-washed
• Changing room benches and floors in direct skin contact
• Sun loungers and cushions used all day by different people
• Rings, floats and swim foams shared by children
• Showers heavily used on holidays

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 Swimming Pools and Water Parks

1. Loan towels not washed hot enough: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: hot-wash and dry fully. Owner: pool manager
2. Changing room benches not wiped during the day: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe every 2 hours on busy days. Owner: housekeeper
3. Sun loungers and cushions not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe when users leave and ask users to lay their own towel. Owner: pool attendant
4. Children's floats shared: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wash and wipe after closing every day. Owner: lifeguard
5. Users with rashes or open wounds: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: signs asking people with rashes or wounds not to swim. Owner: pool manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Pools and Water Parks

1. Hot-wash loan towels
2. Wipe changing room benches every 2 hours when busy
3. Wipe sun loungers when users leave
4. Wash floats daily
5. Post signs asking people with rashes or wounds not to swim
6. Fog changing rooms and showers on a schedule
7. Maintain water quality to pool standards

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: When did Norway find its first case? A: On 31 May 2022, the same day Hungary reported its first. Q: Does pool water spread mpox? A: The main routes are close contact and contaminated objects, so pools should focus on changing rooms, towels and loungers. 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 pools or water parks 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 Norway is a reminder that disease travels with the holiday season. Pools and water parks that take their land areas seriously protect users of every age. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for swimming pools, water parks and changing rooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping benches, sun loungers, lockers and showers.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268