World News: An Ottawa Children's Hospital in Canada Found Eight Times More Children with Flu Than a Year Earlier, and Admissions Doubled. Lessons for Paediatric Wards
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 6 Views |
World News: An Ottawa Children's Hospital in Canada Found Eight Times More Children with Flu Than a Year Earlier, and Admissions Doubled. Lessons for Paediatric Wards
From Canada: the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario found eight times as many children with flu in November 2025 as a year earlier, and child admissions doubled. Thai paediatric wards that overflow at peak need strong infection control.
The True Story: Eight Times More Children Infected
The Canadian Press, via Global News, reported on 4 December 2025 that the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) in Ottawa found 145 children testing positive for flu in November 2025, up from 17 a year earlier, more than eightfold, and child flu admissions doubled from 6 to 12.
Dr Jesse Papenburg, a paediatric infectious disease specialist at the Montreal Children's Hospital, said a surveillance network of 15 children's hospitals showed rising flu emergency visits, while Dr Allison McGeer of Mount Sinai Hospital said H3N2 was dominant and, though the vaccine was not a perfect match, it still protected against severe illness.
The Key Lesson: Crowded Paediatric Wards Let Flu Spread Between Beds
Thai paediatric wards receive children with high fever, pneumonia and many respiratory infections at once. Points to watch are:
- Children's beds close together when wards overflow
- Parents staying overnight walking between beds
- Ward toys many children handle
- Nebulisers and equipment used in turn
- Limited isolation rooms not enough at peak
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 Paediatric Wards
- Flu patients mixed with other children: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: set up a cohort zone for flu patients. Owner: paediatric ward head nurse
- Parents walk between beds: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: stay at their child's bed and wash hands before leaving. Owner: ward nurse
- Ward toys not cleaned: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: personal toys or daily cleaning. Owner: nursing assistant
- Nebuliser equipment shared: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: clean per manufacturer instructions after use. Owner: ward nurse
- Isolation rooms not disinfected before new admissions: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat rooms after discharge. Owner: paediatric ward head nurse
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Paediatric Wards
- Set up a cohort zone for flu patients
- Have parents wash hands before and after caring
- Limit carers to one per bed
- Use personal toys or clean daily
- Clean nebuliser equipment after use
- Vaccinate staff before the season
- Fog and ozone-treat rooms after discharge
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 much did flu rise at the Canadian children's hospital? A: CHEO found 145 children with flu in November 2025, up from 17 a year earlier, and admissions rose from 6 to 12.
Q: Does the vaccine still help if it is not a perfect match? A: Canadian doctors said it still protects against severe illness; preliminary UK data put effectiveness in children at 60–70%.
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
Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment
The real news from Canada shows children are where flu rises fastest. Paediatric wards that control spread well help every child go home sooner. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for paediatric wards, play rooms and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for isolation rooms and patient rooms after discharge. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: child flu, Canada flu, H3N2 children, paediatric ward, children's hospital disinfection, children's room ozone treatment
