Last updated: 12 Nov 2026 | 4 Views |
New York's health department alerted diners at ilili after a kitchen employee tested positive for hepatitis A, advising vaccination for some. What should Thai premium restaurants prepare?
ABC7 New York reported on 14 February 2025 that a kitchen employee at ilili on Fifth Avenue, Manhattan, tested positive for hepatitis A; the health department advised diners from 31 January to 9 February to get vaccinated and those from 17 January to watch for symptoms for seven weeks.
Inspectors found no violations and let the restaurant stay open. ilili said it deep cleaned the premises and would bring in third-party cleaners, while officials stressed frequent handwashing to prevent spread.
Hepatitis A is prevented mainly by vaccination and spreads through cooks' unwashed hands. Premium restaurants plate dishes by hand in many steps and serve uncooked items, so their reputation rests on handwashing discipline, staff vaccination and the readiness to deep clean at once. ilili shows a prepared restaurant can stay open.

Highlights: Uses steam above 100°C with no chemicals, ideal for fabrics and crevices sprays cannot reach
Best for: Mattresses, sofas, curtains, hotel beds and bedbug treatment
Why it ranks here: Hot steam cleans kitchens, boards and plating areas
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Highlights: UK disinfectant that meets EN 14476 and is trusted by NHS England according to the product page, available for foggers and as a spray
Best for: Use with ULV foggers in hospitals, clinics, hotels and offices
Why it ranks here: Wipes tables, menus and dining-room surfaces
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Highlights: 30 wipes per pack, easy to carry for instant wiping of touch points
Best for: Wiping handles, desks and phones during the day
Why it ranks here: For servers to wipe hands between tables
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Highlights: German Airofog brand, 15-30 micron droplets, 5 L tank, only 3.1 kg for easy handheld use
Best for: Small to medium rooms, clinics, homes, guest rooms and vans
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Highlights: German Airofog brand, 800 W motor, 15-30 micron droplets, 5 L tank, works with water-based disinfectants
Best for: Indoor fogging of medium to large buildings such as offices, schools and hospitals
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Highlights: Longray 2680A-II, 800 W motor, 6 L tank, adjustable 5-50 micron droplets, about 5 kg according to supplier data
Best for: Shops, classrooms, guest rooms and daily fogging
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Highlights: 4.1 hp engine, 12 L chemical tank, reach up to 12 m, droplets under 30 microns
Best for: Large outdoor areas, warehouses, factories, farms and markets
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CHEMGENE brand illustration
Highlights: From the same family as HLD4H, recommended by WHD for homes, kindergartens and childcare centres according to its website
Best for: Homes, childcare centres, kindergartens and offices
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Highlights: 50 L tank, mist reach up to 10 m, adjustable output
Best for: Communities, villages, estates and medium farms
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Highlights: 18 hp engine, 75 L tank, mist reach up to 10 m
Best for: Large areas such as municipalities, industrial estates and big farms
See product and price - click here| Rank | Product | Type | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | STEMAR | Disinfecting steam cleaner | Mattresses, sofas, curtains, hotel beds and bedbug treatment |
| 2 | CHEMGENE HLD4H | High-level medical-grade disinfectant | Use with ULV foggers in hospitals, clinics, hotels and offices |
| 3 | WELLGIENIC | Disinfecting wet wipes | Wiping handles, desks and phones during the day |
| 4 | AIROFOG U240 | Lightweight electric ULV fogger | Small to medium rooms, clinics, homes, guest rooms and vans |
| 5 | AIROFOG U260 | Electric ULV fogger | Indoor fogging of medium to large buildings such as offices, schools and hospitals |
| 6 | ULV 2680A | Value electric ULV fogger | Shops, classrooms, guest rooms and daily fogging |
| 7 | SOLO PORT 423 | Backpack mist blower | Large outdoor areas, warehouses, factories, farms and markets |
| 8 | CHEMGENE HLD4L | Disinfectant for homes and children's areas | Homes, childcare centres, kindergartens and offices |
| 9 | AIROFOG UM2 | Truck-mounted fogger, 2 nozzles | Communities, villages, estates and medium farms |
| 10 | AIROFOG UM4 | Truck-mounted fogger, 4 nozzles | Large areas such as municipalities, industrial estates and big farms |
Before: Staff plated barehanded and there was no incident plan.
After: Vaccinated staff, handwashing discipline and a deep-clean plan. The restaurant passes inspection and stays open.
If buying equipment is not practical or the area is too large, use the World Health Disinfection disinfection service or ozone treatment service. The team wears full protective equipment, chooses products to suit the germ and surface, and reports after the job.
Q: How is hepatitis A prevented? A: Vaccination is the main protection, along with frequent handwashing by food handlers.
Q: How long before the area can be used? A: After ULV fogging, areas are typically usable about 30 minutes later. For ozone treatment, no people or pets may be inside and the room must be ventilated before use.
Q: Can I get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Follow disease updates from Thailand's Department of Disease Control (hotline 1422) and the World Health Organization. Disinfection reduces germs in the environment and is not medical treatment; anyone with symptoms should see a doctor.
ilili shows a prepared restaurant can weather an incident without closing. Premium restaurants that invest in hygiene earn diners' confidence.
Keywords: fine dining, premium restaurant, hepatitis A, STEMAR, Chemgene HLD4H, germ elimination service