Understanding Monkeypox risks and the importance of year-round Infection Control
The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently declared Monkeypox (known as Mpox) as a public health emergency of international concern. This is the first such declaration since the Covid-19 pandemic and it once again highlights the importance of continued, robust infection control measures in healthcare settings.
For infection control professionals, this news serves as a reminder of the ever-present risks posed by emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases. While it's crucial to stay vigilant during outbreaks, it's even more important to ensure that the infection control products you choose are effective all year round and capable of performing no matter the circumstances.
Understanding the risks of Mpox in healthcare settings
Mpox, a viral illness, has similarities to smallpox, though it is generally less severe. The virus can spread through direct contact with bodily fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials like bedding, clothing and hard surfaces like door handles etc. Whilst Mpox is still a rare infection and the risk of catching it remains low, the WHO has recently stated:
“The current upsurge of mpox in parts of Africa, along with the spread of a new sexually transmissible strain of the monkeypox virus, is an emergency, not only for Africa, but for the entire globe. Mpox, originating in Africa, was neglected there, and later caused a global outbreak in 2022. It is time to act decisively to prevent history from repeating itself." 1, 2, 3
Mpox, can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes and fever. Most people fully recover, but some can get very sick.4 Healthcare settings are particularly vulnerable due to the close proximity of patients, frequent handling of potentially contaminated materials, and the high-risk nature of caring for infected individuals.
For infection control professionals, the primary concern is preventing the spread of Mpox within healthcare facilities. This involves not only monitoring and responding to outbreaks but also maintaining a constant level of protection against a wide range of pathogens. The challenge is to balance immediate response efforts with long-term infection control strategies.
Selecting antimicrobial products to support infection control goals
In the context of Mpox, hospital curtains and surface disinfectants are critical components of your infection control arsenal. These products play a key role in breaking the chain of infection, particularly in high-touch areas where the virus could be easily transmitted.
Due to their high biohazard rating, Mpox and other poxviruses are challenging to test in laboratories. To overcome this, the vaccinia virus is often used as a substitute or reference pathogen. Successful testing against vaccinia generally supports efficacy claims for all enveloped viruses, including Mpox.
Hospital Curtains:
Can be a significant source of cross-contamination if the wrong product is selected. Patients, visitors, and staff frequently touch them, making them potential reservoirs for pathogens. Choosing the right antimicrobial curtains becomes crucial in helping minimise the risk of surface-to-person transmission. Not all curtains are the same and your selection can have a big impact on your infection control outcomes.
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Endurocide® Antimicrobial Plus Curtains provide advanced protection against bacteria, spores, viruses, fungi, and mycobacteria. Tested against 29 different pathogens and independent peer-review, hospital studies show that Endurocide® Antimicrobial Curtains remain active for up to two years. The liquid used to impregnate our Endurocide® Curtains has been tested and shown to be effective against the vaccinia virus using EN 14476, a quantitative suspension laboratory test. For full details on all our test data, please click here. |
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Surface Disinfectants:
High-touch surfaces such as bed rails, doorknobs, and medical equipment can be hotspots for pathogen transmission. Selecting surface disinfectants that are proven to be effective against a broad spectrum of viruses, including those similar to Mpox, is essential. These disinfectants should be easy to apply, fast-acting, and compatible with the materials in your healthcare facility to ensure they can be used regularly without damaging surfaces.
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Endurocide® Virucidal provides quick and easy virucidal disinfection on hard surfaces, with proven efficacy against both enveloped viruses, including vaccinia, and non-enveloped viruses, as well as bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds. Endurocide® Virucidal exhibits excellent cleaning properties and has been tested under dirty conditions, making it ideal for use in healthcare settings. For full details on all our test data, please click here. |
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AntiBak Tablets are designed for immediate response infection control and are highly effective against viruses, including Norovirus, Coronavirus and enveloped viruses similar to Mpox, as well as bacteria and fungi. Chlorine free, AntiBak Tablets provide quick and easy virucidal disinfection on hard surfaces. One tub of 100 tablets provides up to 50L of powerful disinfection! For full details on all our test data, please click here. |
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Hand Cleaning:
Effective hand hygiene is a cornerstone of infection prevention and control, crucial both in everyday healthcare practices and during emergency situations. Proper hand hygiene reduces the transmission of harmful pathogens, helping protect patients, staff, and visitors. In routine care, it prevents the spread of common healthcare-associated infections, ensuring a safe environment for everyone. During outbreaks or emergencies, rigorous hand hygiene becomes even more critical, serving as a first line of defence in containing the spread of pathogens.
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Enduro Hand & Skin Range provides a fast acting, quick drying solution that is alcohol free and designed for everyday use, anytime, anywhere! Effective against bacteria, fungi, spores and enveloped viruses. Dermatologically tested and proven to remain active for hours after application. For full details on all our test data, please click here. |
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Why correct product selection matters beyond outbreaks
While the emergence of Mpox has heightened awareness of infection control during outbreaks, the principles of effective infection control apply every day. Pathogens don't take breaks, and neither should your infection control efforts.
Consistently choosing the right antimicrobial products that are fit for purpose helps maintain a baseline of safety in your facility. These products should be selected not only for their immediate efficacy but also for their ability to support long-term infection control goals. This means looking for products that are durable, effective across a wide range of pathogens, and easy to integrate, to help keep your facility protected all year round.
Reassess and choose products that meet your Infection Control goals
Considering the ongoing risks posed by infectious diseases like Mpox, now is the time to reassess your current infection prevention & control measures. Are your hospital curtains, surface disinfectants and hand sanitisers truly up to the task? Do they provide the level of protection you need to meet your infection control goals?
Your patients’ safety depends on more than just emergency measures. By ensuring you select the right hospital curtains, surface disinfectants, and other antimicrobial products, you can reduce the risk of infection, whilst ensuring robust, year-round protection. This helps your facility to always be prepared, safeguarding both your staff and patients while meeting your infection control goals and protecting your facility’s reputation.
At Endurocide® we’re passionate about providing proven products that will assist you all-day, every day. If you would like to explore how our products can support you, please get in touch with our team:
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