The True Story: Infected by Tourists, Not by Travel

On 5 July 2022, Panama confirmed its first mpox case, a person infected through contact with European tourists inside the country.

The patient was stable, isolating at home before moving to a care facility. It showed that people who have not travelled can be infected by meeting tourists.

The Key Lesson: Staff Meet Hundreds of Tourists a Day

Souvenir shops in tourist towns and airport duty-free stores have foreign customers all day. Points to watch are:

• Samples and testers that customers try
• Clothes tried on and hung back
• Checkout counters and card machines everyone touches
• Baskets and trolleys used one after another
• Fitting rooms used in quick succession

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 Souvenir and Duty-Free Shops

1. Testers and samples not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe on a schedule and use single-use spatulas. Owner: store manager
2. Card machines and counters not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe hourly at peak. Owner: cashier
3. Baskets and trolleys reused without wiping: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe handles on a schedule. Owner: floor staff
4. Fitting rooms not cleaned: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: wipe benches and hooks on a schedule. Owner: floor staff
5. Staff unsure what to do if a customer has a rash: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: train staff to stay polite and keep distance. Owner: store manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Souvenir Shops

1. Wipe testers on a schedule
2. Wipe card machines and counters hourly at peak
3. Wipe basket and trolley handles on a schedule
4. Install sanitiser at entrances and counters
5. Train staff on symptoms and distance
6. Have staff wash hands often
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: How was Panama's first patient infected? A: Through contact with European tourists inside the country. Q: Should shop staff worry? A: Risk from ordinary selling is low, but frequent handwashing and wiping shared touch points lower it further. 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 shops or malls 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 Panama is a reminder that people who have not travelled can be infected too. Souvenir shops that care for shared touch points and train staff protect customers and teams alike. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for souvenir shops, duty-free stores and shops in tourist areas, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping testers, card machines, baskets and fitting rooms.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268