The True Story: A Disaster Meets Flu Season

Jiji Press reported from Kumamoto in early October 2026 that, two months after a quake of intensity 7 on Japan's seismic scale on 28 July, more than 1,300 people were still staying at evacuation centres.

Kumamoto's flu outbreak began in the week through 6 September and reached an average of 3.86 patients per institution by late September, while the national average was 7.17 and Okinawa passed its warning level. An expert stressed early vaccination.

The Key Lesson: People Sleep Together in Limited Space, Exhausted

Thai flood shelters often use gyms, halls, schools or temples. Points to watch are:

• Sleeping mats side by side in gyms or pavilions
• Older people and young children exhausted by the disaster
• Temporary toilets short of water and soap
• Food distribution points with close queues
• Buildings after floods that are damp and smell

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 Disaster Shelters

1. People with fever sleep among others: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: set up a separate zone for respiratory symptoms. Owner: shelter head
2. Too little water and soap: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: handwashing points and sanitiser at every entrance. Owner: sanitation team
3. Mats with no spacing: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: space mats and use partitions. Owner: shelter head
4. Temporary toilets not cleaned on a schedule: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: clean several times a day. Owner: volunteers
5. Damp homes after floods before re-entry: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat homes before people return. Owner: local authority

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Shelters

1. Check for fever on admission
2. Separate a zone for respiratory symptoms
3. Give masks to anyone coughing
4. Set up handwashing points at every entrance
5. Space sleeping mats and use partitions
6. Vaccinate older people and children where possible
7. Fog shelters and ozone-treat homes after floods recede

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: Why are shelters at risk of flu? A: Many people sleep together in limited space, are exhausted, and may lack water and soap, so flu spreads easily.

Q: What should be done to a home after a flood? A: Clean off mud, ventilate, disinfect surfaces, and use ozone to reduce damp odours before moving back in.

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 local authorities 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 Kumamoto shows disasters and flu can strike together. Prepared shelters reduce double suffering for disaster victims. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for shelters, gyms and temporary toilets, and the ozone treatment service for homes and rooms after floods. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268