The True Story: A First Case Who Was a Traveller

On 16 June 2023, Nepal confirmed its first mpox case, a 60-year-old foreign woman who travels frequently.

She was isolated in a hospital in Kathmandu while contacts were traced. Nepal attracts trekkers from around the world, so lodges along the trails host travellers from many countries every night.

The Key Lesson: Blankets and Sleeping Bags Reused and Washed Rarely

Trekking lodges and hill homestays in Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son are far from laundries and hot water. Points to watch are:

• Rental sleeping bags and blankets washed rarely when water is scarce
• Shared sleeping platforms where travellers lie side by side
• Basic shared bathrooms with limited water and soap
• Loaned trekking poles held by hands
• Kitchens and utensils shared by all

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 Trekking Lodges and Homestays

1. Sleeping bags reused without washing: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: use personal or rental liners washed every time. Owner: homestay owner
2. Blankets washed once a month: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wash blankets or covers after every group. Owner: homestay owner
3. No soap in bathrooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: provide soap and sanitiser in every bathroom. Owner: homestay owner
4. Loaned poles not wiped: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: wipe handles after return. Owner: trekking guide
5. No procedure when a traveller falls ill: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: know the route to the nearest hospital and hotline 1422. Owner: trekking guide

Ways to Reduce Risk at Trekking Lodges

1. Use sleeping bag liners personal or rental
2. Wash blanket covers after every group
3. Sun-dry blankets when possible
4. Provide soap and sanitiser in every bathroom
5. Wipe trekking poles after return
6. Plan the hospital route and hotline 1422
7. Fog rooms 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: Who was Nepal's first case? A: A 60-year-old foreign woman who travels often, isolated in a Kathmandu hospital. Q: How can blankets be washed with little hot water? A: Use easy-wash covers or liners instead of washing whole blankets, and sun-dry them thoroughly. 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 homestays or trekking 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 Nepal is a reminder that travellers carry infection to remote places. Trekking lodges that care for sleeping bags and bathrooms protect travellers and hill communities alike. Prevent it with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for rooms, shared lodges and homestay bathrooms, and Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant for wiping bathrooms, trekking poles and kitchen surfaces.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268