The True Story: The DDC's Warning Before Term

On 11 May 2026, Dr Montien Kanasawat, Director-General of Thailand's Department of Disease Control, and Deputy Director-General Dr Direk Khampaen warned schools to watch for flu, hand-foot-and-mouth disease and diarrhoea as term began, because children gather in large numbers again.

The department advised screening pupils every morning, separating feverish children, and regularly cleaning classrooms, toilets and canteens, including shared touch points such as door handles, desks, stair rails and toys, and urged children to use serving spoons and not share cups.

The Key Lesson: The Canteen Is Where the Whole School Gathers

School canteens serve hundreds to thousands of pupils in a short lunch break. Points to watch are:

• Long tables and benches used in several rounds
• Compartment trays and spoons not washed in time at peak
• Cups and water dispensers sometimes shared
• Sinks outside the canteen where soap often runs out
• Cooks and vendors who work while sick

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 School Canteens

1. Tables not wiped between breaks: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: stagger breaks and wipe tables every round. Owner: canteen duty teacher
2. Trays and spoons not cleaned properly: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: three-step washing and air-drying. Owner: canteen operator
3. Shared cups: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: personal cups or bottles for every pupil. Owner: class teacher
4. Soap at sinks runs out: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: check and refill before every break. Owner: caretaker
5. Sick cooks keep working: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: stay off with fever and mask when coughing. Owner: canteen operator

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in School Canteens

1. Stagger lunch breaks to reduce crowding
2. Wash hands with soap before entering
3. Use serving spoons and personal cups for everyone
4. Wipe tables and benches every break
5. Wash trays and spoons in three steps
6. Send feverish cooks home
7. Fog the canteen and ozone-treat classrooms at weekends

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: Which diseases did the DDC warn about for term 2026? A: Flu, hand-foot-and-mouth disease and diarrhoea, with advice to screen pupils and regularly clean classrooms, toilets and canteens.

Q: Why are canteens important? A: The whole school gathers there, sharing tables, utensils and sinks at the same time.

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 schools or canteen operators 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 the DDC shows term start is when child illness surges. Clean, well-run canteens reduce illness across the whole school. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for canteens, toilets and classrooms, and the ozone treatment service for air-conditioned classrooms and school sick bays. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268