The True Story: A First Case Back from Dubai

On 3 November 2022, Sri Lanka confirmed its first mpox case, a 20-year-old man who returned from Dubai on 1 November.

He was treated at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases (NIID), an example of a short-trip traveller from an aviation hub bringing infection home.

The Key Lesson: Cash and Passports Pass Through One Tray All Day

Money exchange counters at airports, Ratchaprasong and tourist towns serve hundreds of tourists a day. Points to watch are:

• Cash trays where notes and passports sit in turn
• Banknotes and coins through hundreds of hands
• Signing pens every customer uses
• Glass screens and speech holes close to faces
• Counting machines and passport scanners handled 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 Money Exchange Counters

1. Staff handle cash then touch their faces: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wash or sanitise after every customer. Owner: branch manager
2. Cash trays not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe trays on a schedule. Owner: exchange staff
3. Shared signing pens: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: use on-screen signatures or wipe pens. Owner: exchange staff
4. Passport scanners not wiped: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: wipe scanner glass on a schedule. Owner: exchange staff
5. Booth never fully disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog the booth after closing on a schedule. Owner: branch manager

Ways to Reduce Risk at Money Exchange Counters

1. Wash or sanitise hands after every customer
2. Wipe cash trays on a schedule
3. Use on-screen signatures to cut pen sharing
4. Wipe passport scanners on a schedule
5. Wipe glass screens and speech holes daily
6. Avoid touching faces while working
7. Fog the booth 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 Sri Lanka's first patient come from? A: Dubai, on 1 November 2022; he was treated at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. Q: Can banknotes spread infection? A: Risk is low, but washing hands after handling cash and not touching your face reduces risk from items passed through many hands. 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 exchange 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 Sri Lanka is a reminder that short-trip travellers can bring infection home. Exchange counters that clean hands and trays regularly protect staff who meet tourists all day. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for exchange booths, financial branches and airport counters, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping trays, scanners, glass screens and counters.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268