The True Story: Clusters in Closed Spaces Every Season

Dr Suwannachai Wattanayingcharoenchai, then Director-General of the Department of Disease Control, reported 89,846 flu cases and 12 deaths from 1 January to 20 August 2018, with clusters in schools, prisons and military camps, all closed or crowded settings.

The department said schools alone had reported 10 cluster events that year, and advised screening people with symptoms, isolating the sick and installing handwashing points wherever many people live together.

The Key Lesson: Closed, Crowded Spaces Let Flu Spread Through a Whole Block

Prisons, correctional facilities and juvenile centres hold many people in limited space. Points to watch are:

• Crowded sleeping quarters where people lie side by side all night
• Visiting rooms where outsiders come in daily
• Mess halls and utensils that are shared
• Small infirmaries with limited isolation space
• New arrivals who may bring infection in

How Flu Spreads

According to the World Health Organization, seasonal influenza spreads easily where people gather, such as schools and nursing homes. It spreads through droplets when people cough or sneeze, and through hands that touch contaminated surfaces and then the eyes, nose or mouth. Most people recover within a week, but young children, older adults, pregnant women and people with chronic illness are at risk of severe disease. Influenza is an enveloped virus, which suitable disinfectants can inactivate.

Risk Register for Prisons and Juvenile Centres

1. New arrivals not screened for symptoms: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: screen for fever and respiratory symptoms on admission. Owner: prison medical unit
2. Too little isolation space: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: prepare isolation rooms and a surge plan. Owner: prison director
3. Sick relatives visit: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: screen visitors and require masks. Owner: visits section
4. Sleeping quarters not disinfected after cases: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog sleeping quarters and ozone-treat the infirmary. Owner: prison medical unit
5. Food utensils poorly washed: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wash with detergent and air-dry. Owner: kitchen section

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Prisons

1. Screen every new arrival on admission
2. Screen visitors and require masks
3. Isolate the sick in the infirmary at once
4. Install handwashing points in blocks and mess halls
5. Vaccinate older and chronically ill inmates
6. Wash utensils with detergent every meal
7. Fog sleeping quarters and ozone-treat the infirmary after cases

How ULV Disinfection 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 reach.

• Whole-area coverage without relying on wiping spot by spot
• Quick return to use, typically about 30 minutes after fogging
• Uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page
• The team wears full protective equipment, so owners and staff do not take the risk themselves
• Report and photos after the job for customers, management or authorities
• Tax invoice with 3% withholding tax for companies and agencies

Ozone Treatment for Closed Rooms and Stuffy Spaces

The World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service uses machines that generate ozone gas from oxygen in the air. It suits closed rooms such as meeting rooms, bedrooms, classrooms, sick bays and vans, helping reduce germs in the air and on surfaces and removing stale odours. Ozone breaks back down into oxygen after treatment, leaving no residue.

• Works alongside disinfection fogging: spray or wipe surfaces first, then use ozone for the air and corners of closed rooms
• No people or pets in the room during treatment: the team seals the room and runs a timer
• Ventilate after treatment before normal use resumes
• Machines tested by Intertek, according to WHD's service page
• Ideal after someone has been ill, such as recovered patients' rooms, shared bedrooms and shuttle vans

Before and After

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Have Thai prisons had flu clusters? A: The DDC reported in 2018 that clusters occurred in schools, prisons and military camps.

Q: Why are closed spaces at risk? A: People stay close for long periods, and flu spreads through droplets and hands touching shared surfaces.

Q: Does the fogging disinfectant work on flu? A: The team uses Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 for virucidal activity according to the product page, and influenza is an enveloped virus that suitable disinfectants can inactivate. Fogging does not replace vaccination or handwashing.

Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No one should be in the room during treatment. Ventilate afterwards before normal use; the team will advise the right time for the room size.

Q: Can government agencies 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
• World Health Disinfection ozone treatment service
• Chemgene HLD4H disinfectant and price
• Influenza information from Thailand's Department of Disease Control, hotline 1422
• WHO seasonal influenza fact sheet

Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment

The true story from the DDC shows closed, crowded settings see outbreaks every year. Prisons with a plan protect inmates and staff alike. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for sleeping quarters, mess halls and visiting rooms, and the ozone treatment service for infirmaries and isolation rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268