The True Story: Two Days of Suspended Classes, but No Lockdown

The Philippine Department of Education (DepEd) suspended in-person classes in public schools in Metro Manila on 13 and 14 October 2025, citing a rise in flu-like illness among students and staff.

The Department of Health (DOH) reported 6,457 flu-like illness cases from 28 September to 11 October 2025, down from the previous fortnight. Health Secretary Teodoro Herbosa said there was no outbreak and no lockdown was needed, and advised handwashing, covering coughs and staying home with symptoms.

The Key Lesson: Services Must Go On, Even When People Fall Ill

District offices, land offices and public service counters see hundreds of people a day and cannot close. Points to watch are:

• Service counters where people hand over documents all day
• Pens and queue ticket machines everyone uses
• Crowded waiting rooms in the morning
• Front-line staff talking closely with the public all day
• Closed air-conditioned staff offices and meeting rooms

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 Government Offices and Public Service Counters

1. Front-line staff ill at once, halting service: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: arrange backups and encourage staff vaccination. Owner: head of office
2. Pens and queue machines not wiped: likelihood high / impact low / level medium. Mitigation: wipe hourly and use separate pens. Owner: information staff
3. No sanitiser at counters: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: install sanitiser at every counter. Owner: facilities section
4. Crowded waiting rooms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: online appointments and ventilation. Owner: head of services
5. Offices not disinfected after staff illness: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat offices out of hours. Owner: facilities section

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Government Offices

1. Arrange backup staff for services
2. Use appointments to reduce crowding
3. Install sanitiser at every counter
4. Wipe pens and queue machines hourly
5. Give masks to coughing visitors
6. Encourage vaccination for front-line staff
7. Fog and ozone-treat offices out of hours

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: Did Manila really suspend classes over flu? A: DepEd suspended in-person public school classes in Metro Manila on 13–14 October 2025, citing rising flu-like illness.

Q: Did Philippine authorities call it an outbreak? A: The health secretary said it was not an outbreak and no lockdown was needed.

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 government agencies get a receipt or 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 Manila shows flu-like illness can disrupt public services. Prepared offices keep serving the public every day. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for service counters, waiting rooms and common areas, and the ozone treatment service for staff offices and meeting rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268