The True Story: So Fast That Over a Hundred Schools Closed

On 11 October 2025, Japan's health ministry said flu had passed the epidemic threshold, with about 3,000 hospitals reporting about 4,030 patients, an average of 1.04 per institution. Okinawa had the most per hospital, followed by Tokyo and Kagoshima.

More than 100 schools, kindergartens and childcare centres closed because of outbreaks among children. Professor Yoko Tsukamoto of the Health Sciences University of Hokkaido said the flu season had started really early.

The Key Lesson: One Car Carries a Sick Passenger, Then the Next Fare at Once

Thai taxis and ride-hailing cars often take passengers to hospitals and clinics and pick up the next fare straight away. Points to watch are:

• Back seats and seat belts passengers use in turn
• Door handles and grab handles everyone holds
• Closed air-conditioned cabins with recirculating air
• Coughing passengers on the way to hospital
• Drivers driving for hours with no time to wipe the car

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 Taxis and Ride-Hailing Cars

1. Car not wiped after coughing passengers: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe door handles, seats and belts after sick passengers. Owner: driver
2. Driver without a mask for sick passengers: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wear a mask and ask coughing passengers to wear one. Owner: driver
3. Air-con on recirculation all day: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: use fresh-air mode or open windows briefly. Owner: driver
4. No hand sanitiser in the car: likelihood medium / impact low / level low. Mitigation: keep sanitiser in the car. Owner: owner or cooperative
5. Car never fully disinfected: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat cars on a schedule. Owner: owner or cooperative

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Taxis and Ride-Hailing Cars

1. Wear a mask for coughing passengers
2. Carry spare masks for passengers
3. Keep hand sanitiser in the car
4. Wipe handles and seats after sick passengers
5. Use fresh-air mode while driving
6. Get vaccinated as a driver
7. Fog and ozone-treat the car 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: How many schools closed for flu in Japan? A: An October 2025 report said over 100 schools, kindergartens and childcare centres closed.

Q: Does car ozone treatment take long? A: No. No one should be in the car during treatment, and doors should be opened to ventilate before use.

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 taxi cooperatives or car rental firms 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 flu can spread faster than expected. Taxis and ride-hailing cars that keep clean protect drivers and the next passenger alike. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for taxi depots, car parks and cooperative offices, and the ozone treatment service for taxi and ride-hailing car cabins. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268