The True Story: Most ICU Patients Were Unvaccinated

Euronews reported on 13 January 2026, citing Ireland's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC), that flu cases rose 49% in the week of 30 November to 6 December 2025, and hospitalisations rose from 415 to 657.

73% of ICU admissions were flu cases in people who had not received the current seasonal vaccine, and the HPSC expected the peak was still to come. Across Europe, the ECDC said flu rose three to four weeks earlier in 2025 than in the previous two seasons.

The Key Lesson: ICUs Take the Sickest Patients and Need the Strictest Infection Control

Critical care units in Thai hospitals receive flu pneumonia patients at peak. Points to watch are:

• ICU beds full at peak forcing fast turnover
• Ventilators and monitors touched constantly
• Visiting relatives who may bring the virus in
• Staff caring for several beds for hours
• Staff rooms closed and crowded

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 Critical Care Units and ICUs

1. Beds turned over too fast to clean properly: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: bed and room cleaning procedure before each admission. Owner: ICU head nurse
2. Staff not vaccinated: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: staff vaccination campaign before the season. Owner: infection control unit
3. Sick relatives visit: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: screen relatives and limit visits at peak. Owner: ICU head nurse
4. High-touch points not wiped on a schedule: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe monitors, buttons and bed rails on a schedule. Owner: nursing assistant
5. Closed staff rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: ozone-treat staff rooms on a schedule. Owner: infection control unit

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in ICUs

1. Vaccinate all staff before the season
2. Screen relatives before visits
3. Clean beds and rooms before each new admission
4. Wipe equipment and monitors on a schedule
5. Use droplet precautions for flu patients
6. Plan surge beds for the peak
7. Fog and ozone-treat rooms after discharge and staff rooms

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 fast did flu rise in Ireland? A: Cases rose 49% in the week of 30 Nov to 6 Dec 2025, and hospitalisations rose from 415 to 657.

Q: Were most ICU patients vaccinated? A: 73% of ICU flu admissions had not received the seasonal vaccine, according to the HPSC.

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 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 real news from Ireland shows unvaccinated people fill ICUs most. Prepared critical care units keep beds and staff available for the sickest patients. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for critical care units, corridors and family waiting rooms, and the ozone treatment service for patient rooms after discharge and staff rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268