The True Story: Almost All Who Died Were Older People

On 6 February 2025, Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection (CHP) reported 137 flu deaths in the winter season, 123 of them aged over 65, 10 aged 50–64 and 4 aged 18–49.

In a single week, 55 adults were admitted to intensive care or died from severe flu, 32 of them fatally, and 44 of the 55 were unvaccinated. The CHP said flu activity remained elevated.

The Key Lesson: Unvaccinated Older People Suffer the Most

Elderly day centres, senior clubs and elderly schools bring older people together for daily activities. Points to watch are:

• Closed air-conditioned activity rooms where older people sit together for hours
• Physiotherapy equipment and rails used in turn
• Snacks and cups that may be shared
• Senior transport vans shared morning and evening
• Older people not yet vaccinated because they don't know about free shots

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 Elderly Day Centres and Senior Clubs

1. Older members not vaccinated: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: work with health services to vaccinate under entitlement. Owner: centre manager
2. Members with colds still attend: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: screen at the entrance and ask them to rest at home. Owner: reception staff
3. Physio equipment not wiped: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe after every use. Owner: physiotherapist
4. Closed activity rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: ventilate and ozone-treat rooms on a schedule. Owner: facilities team
5. Transport vans not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe seats every run and ozone-treat vans weekly. Owner: driver

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Senior Centres

1. Vaccinate under entitlement before the season
2. Check for fever at the entrance
3. Ask symptomatic members to rest at home and follow up by phone
4. Use personal cups labelled
5. Wipe physio equipment after use
6. Ventilate activity rooms
7. Fog and ozone-treat activity rooms and vans

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 old were most of Hong Kong's flu deaths? A: 123 of 137 were over 65, according to the CHP in February 2025.

Q: Can older people in Thailand get a free flu vaccine? A: People aged 65+ are a target group for entitlement-based vaccination; ask your local health service or call hotline 1422.

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 elderly centres 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 unvaccinated older people suffer the most. Prepared centres let older people join activities safely. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for activity rooms, dining rooms and restrooms, and the ozone treatment service for air-conditioned activity rooms and senior transport vans. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268