The True Story: A First Case While a Neighbour Had Many

In early August 2022, Bolivia's Health Minister Jeyson Auza confirmed the country's first mpox case, in Santa Cruz department, with four more suspected cases awaiting laboratory results.

At the same time neighbouring Peru had more than 300 cases. New countries reporting one after another is a reminder that community service points should prepare before local cases appear.

The Key Lesson: The Post Office Is Where the Whole Community Stops Every Day

Post offices, parcel points and packing shops in Thailand have customers and riders coming and going all day. Points to watch are:

• Counters and pens used by every customer
• Scales and label printers touched by staff and customers
• Boxes and parcels passing through many hands
• Parcel lockers and touchscreens pressed by everyone
• Sorting staff handling large numbers of parcels

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 Post Offices and Parcel Points

1. Counters and pens not wiped during the day: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe hourly with hand sanitiser available. Owner: counter supervisor
2. Touchscreens and parcel lockers not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe on a schedule with a device-safe product. Owner: branch manager
3. Sorting staff do not wash hands after work: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: handwashing points in the sorting area and gloves. Owner: sorting supervisor
4. Staff with a rash still work the counter: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: clear sick leave policy and a doctor visit. Owner: HR
5. No whole-branch disinfection schedule: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the branch and sorting area on a schedule. Owner: area manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Post Offices and Parcel Points

1. Wipe counters, pens and scales hourly
2. Place hand sanitiser at counters and lockers
3. Wipe touchscreens and lockers on a schedule
4. Give sorting staff gloves and handwashing after work
5. Send staff with rashes home to see a doctor
6. Space queues at busy times
7. Fog the branch and sorting area 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: Where was Bolivia's first case? A: In Santa Cruz department, confirmed by the health minister, with four more suspected cases awaiting results. Q: Are received parcels risky? A: The risk is low; washing hands after opening parcels is a good habit, and parcel points should focus on shared touch points. 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 post offices or parcel 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 Bolivia is a reminder that preparation should start before local cases appear. Post offices and parcel points that look after touch points systematically serve their communities safely. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for post offices, parcel points and sorting centres, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping counters, scales, pens and parcel lockers.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268