The True Story: Severe Child Cases in Summer, Before Term

On 31 August 2026, Edwin Tsui Lok-kin, Controller of Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP), said flu season began in late June and remained high, and was expected to stay high early in the new school year opening on 1 September, with possible school outbreaks.

This summer saw 11 severe child cases: six recovered, two critical and one death. The main strain was A(H1). Data from September to December 2025 showed unvaccinated children were about five times more likely to suffer severe complications or death than vaccinated children.

The Key Lesson: A School Van Is a Moving Closed Room Where Children Sit Close

Thai school vans and buses collect children from many homes on one route. Points to watch are:

• Seats packed with children for 30–60 minutes a trip
• Rails, seat belts and door handles every child touches
• Recirculating air-conditioning inside the cabin
• Feverish children parents still send because they must work
• No channel to report when a child on the route is ill

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 School Transport

1. Feverish children still ride: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: parents' LINE group to report symptoms and keep sick children home. Owner: van operator
2. Seats and rails not wiped: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe after morning and evening runs. Owner: driver
3. Seat belts never cleaned: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe belts and buckles daily. Owner: driver
4. Air-con closed the whole route: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: open windows to ventilate while waiting. Owner: driver
5. Vehicle never fully disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat the van weekly. Owner: van operator

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in School Transport

1. Ask parents to report when children are ill
2. Keep children home with fever
3. Have children sanitise hands before boarding
4. Wipe seats and rails after every run
5. Wipe seat belts daily
6. Ventilate while waiting
7. Fog and ozone-treat the vehicle weekly

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: How many severe child flu cases did Hong Kong have in summer 2026? A: The CHP reported 11: six recovered, two critical and one death.

Q: When can a van be used after ozone treatment? A: No one should be inside during treatment; open the doors to ventilate before use, and the team will advise the timing.

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 school transport operators or schools 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 Hong Kong shows term start is a risky time for children. Clean school vans with a symptom-reporting channel protect every child on the route. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for school vans, parking areas and pick-up points, and the ozone treatment service for van and closed bus cabins. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268