Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 14 Views |
England's late-2025 flu season arrived more than a month early, driven mainly by school-age children. Libraries, learning centres and reading spaces where children gather after school are areas to look after.
On 4 November 2025, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance showed flu hit the NHS more than a month earlier than usual. Positivity rose from 6.1% to 8.2% in the week to 26 October, roughly three times the 2.9% at the same point last year, driven largely by school-age children.
Duncan Burton, Chief Nursing Officer for England, said the early rise of flu in children was particularly concerning and urged eligible people to get vaccinated. More than 12 million vaccines had been delivered by then.
Public libraries, learning centres and mall reading corners have children and adults sitting together for long periods. Points to watch are:
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.
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.
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.
Q: Why was England's 2025 flu season worrying? A: UKHSA found it arrived over a month early with positivity about three times the previous year, driven by school-age children.
Q: Can book rooms be ozone-treated? A: Yes. It helps reduce mustiness and airborne germs; no one should be inside during treatment, and the room should be ventilated before opening.
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 libraries or agencies get a tax invoice? A: Yes. Tax invoices are issued and 3% withholding tax is supported. Call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
The true story from England shows school-age children carry flu everywhere. Libraries and learning centres that keep clean stay safe places to learn for everyone. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for reading rooms, children's corners and common areas, and the ozone treatment service for book rooms and air-conditioned reading rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: England flu, school-age children flu, early flu season, library, library disinfection, book room ozone treatment