The True Story: With No Isolation Rooms, Curtains Were the Last Resort

A report on 22 January 2019 said the Hokudanso nursing home on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, lost seven residents aged 71 to 99, with 74 residents and staff infected. All residents and staff had been vaccinated, but only staff received preventive antiviral drugs.

Another facility, Shokyoen in Ugo, Akita Prefecture, had no private rooms and separated infected residents with curtains, with four deaths in January. Nationally, about 1.6 million flu patients were treated in a single week at the time.

The Key Lesson: Shared Rooms Make Isolation Almost Impossible

Thai rehab centres, shared wards and long-term patient wards have several beds per room. Points to watch are:

• Beds in shared rooms less than two metres apart
• Bed curtains everyone touches and rarely washed
• Physiotherapy rooms with shared equipment
• Carers covering many beds through a whole shift
• Preventive drugs or vaccines that don't cover everyone

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 Rehabilitation Centres and Shared Wards

1. No isolation room when flu appears: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: prepare isolation rooms or cohort zones in advance. Owner: ward head nurse
2. Bed curtains not changed or washed: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: change and wash curtains after infected patients. Owner: head housekeeper
3. Physio equipment shared without wiping: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe equipment after every use. Owner: physiotherapist
4. Carers don't clean hands between beds: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: wash or sanitise between every bed. Owner: head nurse
5. Ward not disinfected after outbreaks: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat the ward once controlled. Owner: ward head nurse

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Shared Wards

1. Prepare isolation rooms or cohort zones in advance
2. Clean hands between every bed
3. Space beds as far as possible
4. Change and wash curtains after cases
5. Wipe physio equipment after use
6. Vaccinate patients and staff
7. Fog and ozone-treat wards after outbreaks

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 did vaccinated Japanese residents still die? A: The report said residents and staff were vaccinated, but vaccines don't remove all risk, so isolation and cleaning are also needed.

Q: How often should bed curtains be washed? A: On a schedule, and immediately after an infected patient recovers or moves out.

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 rehab centres or hospitals 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 Japan shows shared rooms make isolation hard. Centres that prepare isolation zones and keep clean reduce losses. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for shared wards, physio rooms and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for wards after outbreaks and isolation rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268