The True Story: Two First Cases Back from Spain and the UK

On 23 June 2022, Bulgaria's health ministry confirmed the country's first two mpox cases, men aged 41 and 44 with travel to Spain and the United Kingdom.

Both were hospitalised in Sofia while officials traced contacts.

The Key Lesson: Customers' Phones Sit Against Faces and Hands All Day

Phone repair shops in IT malls take in dozens of devices a day. Points to watch are:

• Devices and cases held and pressed to faces
• Drop-off counters where devices sit one after another
• Technician tools used on every device
• Display and demo units picked up by customers
• Trays and boxes for waiting repairs grouped together

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 Phone Repair Shops

1. Devices repaired without wiping first: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe device and case before work. Owner: shop technician
2. Technicians do not clean hands between devices: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wash or sanitise every time. Owner: shop owner
3. Demo units not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe demo units on a schedule. Owner: sales staff
4. Waiting devices piled in one tray: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: bag or box each device. Owner: shop technician
5. No whole-shop disinfection: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the shop after closing on a schedule. Owner: shop owner

Ways to Reduce Risk in Phone Repair Shops

1. Wipe customer devices before repair
2. Wipe devices before return
3. Wash or sanitise hands between devices
4. Bag waiting devices individually
5. Wipe demo units on a schedule
6. Wipe counters and tools daily
7. Fog the shop after closing

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 had Bulgaria's first two patients travelled? A: Spain and the United Kingdom; they were hospitalised in Sofia. Q: Can phones be wiped with disinfectant? A: Yes, with a lightly dampened cloth, never spraying into speakers or ports, following the maker's advice. 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 phone repair 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 Bulgaria is a reminder that travellers can bring infection home. Phone repair shops that wipe devices before and after repair protect technicians and customers alike. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for phone repair shops, IT stores and IT malls, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping counters, demo units and technician tools.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268