The True Story: A First Case and Only 50 Tests

On 12 August 2022, Honduras confirmed its first mpox case, a man under 50 in the Distrito Central capital district.

At the time reports said the country had only 50 tests and was awaiting about 5,600 vaccine doses, showing that when testing is scarce, workplace prevention matters even more.

The Key Lesson: Workers Sit Close and Share Restrooms

Thai garment factories have hundreds to thousands of workers per shift. Points to watch are:

• Production lines where workers sit close all day
• Fabric and pieces passed hand to hand
• Restrooms and sinks crowded at breaks
• Canteens and water dispensers shared by all
• Infirmaries that may lack a procedure for rashes

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 Garment Factories

1. Workers with rashes avoid leave for fear of losing pay: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: sick leave without pay deductions and infirmary screening. Owner: HR manager
2. Too few restrooms cleaned too rarely: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: more cleaning rounds at breaks and soap refills. Owner: head housekeeper
3. Infirmary has no procedure for rashes: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: isolation room and hospital referral procedure. Owner: factory nurse
4. Canteen tables not wiped between shifts: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe tables at every break. Owner: housekeeper
5. No disinfection of common areas: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog restrooms, canteen and infirmary on a schedule. Owner: factory manager

Ways to Reduce Risk in Garment Factories

1. Announce sick leave without pay deductions
2. Train workers on symptoms
3. Screen at the infirmary with an isolation room
4. Add restroom cleaning at breaks
5. Refill soap every round
6. Wipe canteen tables at every break
7. Fog common areas 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 many tests did Honduras have at its first case? A: Reports said only 50, with about 5,600 vaccine doses awaited. Q: Why does sick leave policy matter? A: Workers afraid of losing pay often come in sick, putting colleagues at greater risk. 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 factories get a tax invoice with withholding tax? 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 Honduras is a reminder that when testing is scarce, the workplace is a key line of defence. Factories with fair sick leave and well-kept common areas protect every worker. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for restrooms, canteens, infirmaries and factory common areas, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping canteen tables, sinks and high-touch points.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268