The True Story: Not a New Virus, but Still Spreads Easily

On 11 January 2026, the Philippine Department of Health (DOH) said 63 super flu cases were logged nationwide from 1 January to 27 December 2025, and all patients recovered, with no deaths linked to it.

DOH spokesperson Albert Domingo said the strain is influenza A subclade K, which has circulated for a long time, and citing WHO's assessment, there was no evidence of greater severity. Vaccination still protects against severe illness, and masks remain voluntary.

The Key Lesson: Not More Severe, but Can Put Whole Teams on Sick Leave

Thai call centres and BPO businesses have hundreds of staff working shifts in one room. Points to watch are:

• Headsets and microphones shared between shifts
• Hot desks that change people every shift
• Open-plan air-conditioned floors with talking all day
• Staff rest and prayer rooms in heavy use
• Sick staff still working for fear of hurting KPIs

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 Call Centres and BPO Businesses

1. Headsets shared between shifts: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: personal headsets or replaceable covers, wiped every shift. Owner: team lead
2. Sick staff work for fear of KPIs: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: sick-leave policy that does not affect KPIs. Owner: HR manager
3. Hot desks not wiped between shifts: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe keyboards and desks at every shift change. Owner: housekeeper
4. Floors air-conditioned 24 hours: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: more fresh air and scheduled fogging. Owner: facilities team
5. Crowded rest rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: ozone-treat rest rooms on a schedule. Owner: facilities team

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Call Centres

1. Use personal headsets or replaceable covers
2. Wipe desks and keyboards at every shift change
3. Have a sick-leave policy that doesn't affect KPIs
4. Install hand sanitiser on every desk row
5. Encourage vaccination before the season
6. Fog work floors during the night shift
7. Ozone-treat staff rest rooms on a schedule

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: What is super flu? A: The Philippine DOH said it is influenza A subclade K, not a new virus, with no evidence of greater severity.

Q: How did Philippine super flu patients fare? A: All 63 cases in 2025 recovered, with no deaths linked to the strain.

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 call centre companies get a tax invoice with withholding tax? 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 the Philippines shows that even when not more severe, flu can put whole teams on sick leave. Call centres that care for equipment and shared spaces keep service running. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for work floors, pantries and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for staff rest rooms and team meeting rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268