The True Story: An Outpatient Isolating at Home

On 21 May 2022, Bern canton confirmed Switzerland's first mpox case: a person who had recently returned from abroad.

The patient was treated as an outpatient and isolated at home, while close contacts were notified through contact tracing. People with mild illness like this may live normally for days before they know they are infected.

The Key Lesson: Items Tried On Against the Skin Pass Through Many People a Day

Watch, jewellery and eyewear shops in Thailand let customers try items against the skin dozens of times a day. Points to watch are:

• Leather and rubber watch straps against the wrist and absorbing sweat
• Necklaces, earrings and rings touching neck, ears and fingers
• Spectacle frames resting on the face and nose
• Velvet display trays where tried items are laid one after another
• Display glass and counters touched by customers and staff all day

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 Watch and Jewellery Shops

1. Tried items not wiped before the next customer: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe every item after trying with a material-safe product. Owner: shop manager
2. Leather straps hard to clean and absorb sweat: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: use wipeable sample straps for try-ons. Owner: sales staff
3. Earrings tried with no controls: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: use single-use try-on posts or no try-ons for pierced earrings. Owner: shop manager
4. Customer with a rash on wrist or neck tries items: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: staff notice and politely postpone try-ons. Owner: sales staff
5. Velvet trays never cleaned: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: use washable tray liners and fog the shop on a schedule. Owner: shop housekeeper

Ways to Reduce Risk in Watch and Jewellery Shops

1. Wipe every item after a customer tries it
2. Use wipeable sample straps for watch try-ons
3. No try-ons for pierced earrings or use single-use posts
4. Place hand sanitiser at every counter
5. Use washable tray liners
6. Wipe display glass and counters on a schedule
7. Fog the shop 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: How was Switzerland's first case cared for? A: As an outpatient isolating at home, with contacts notified through tracing. Q: Can Chemgene HLD4H be used on jewellery? A: Use the maker's recommended method for precious metals and stones; Chemgene HLD4H can be used on counters, glass and plastic trays. 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 jewellery shops 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 Switzerland is a reminder that people with mild illness can carry on normally for days. Shops where customers try items against the skin should clean every time so customers feel confident. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for watch, jewellery and eyewear shops, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping counters, display glass and trays.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268