The True Story: More Than a Month Early

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.

The Key Lesson: School-Age Children Carry Flu Wherever They Go After School

Public libraries, learning centres and mall reading corners have children and adults sitting together for long periods. Points to watch are:

• Borrowed books through many hands
• Shared reading tables with people close for hours
• Public computers with shared keyboards
• Children's rooms and story corners where small children sit on the floor together
• Closed air-conditioned rooms with little ventilation

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 Libraries and Learning Centres

1. Public keyboards not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe after use and provide wipes by machines. Owner: librarian
2. Children's corner cushions not cleaned: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe cushions and toys daily. Owner: children's area staff
3. Closed reading rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: ventilate and ozone-treat on a schedule. Owner: facilities team
4. Coughing visitors without masks: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: signs asking for cooperation and free masks. Owner: librarian
5. Books and shelves gathering dust and damp: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: ozone-treat book rooms on a schedule to reduce mustiness. Owner: library manager

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Libraries

1. Install hand sanitiser at entrances and loan desks
2. Wipe keyboards and mice after use
3. Wipe children's corner cushions daily
4. Give masks to anyone coughing
5. Ventilate reading rooms
6. Fog common areas on a schedule
7. Ozone-treat book rooms to reduce germs and mustiness

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 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.

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 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.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268