The True Story: Swine Flu at an Agricultural School

CIDRAP at the University of Minnesota reported, citing the World Health Organization (WHO), that Brazil found a boy infected with influenza H3N2v, a strain originating in pigs (the v stands for variant).

The report said the boy attended an agricultural school that kept pigs. Human infection with swine-origin strains happens from time to time, mostly in people in close contact with pigs, such as farm workers or visitors to animal shows.

The Key Lesson: Students Training in Pig Pens Need Protection

Thai agricultural colleges and pig farms have students and workers in contact with pigs daily. Points to watch are:

• Students entering pens without changing clothes
• Workers with flu still entering pens
• Training clothes worn back to dormitories
• Dormitories with many students per room
• Pigs with respiratory signs not reported to a vet

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 Pig Farms and Agricultural Colleges

1. Students enter pens without changing: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: provide a changing room and boots before pens. Owner: farm teacher
2. Sick workers still enter pens: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: stay off work with fever so flu does not pass to pigs. Owner: farm manager
3. Training clothes worn to dorms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wash clothes at the farm, never take them to dorms. Owner: dormitory head
4. Crowded dormitories: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: space beds and isolate sick students. Owner: dormitory head
5. Dorms not disinfected after illness: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat rooms. Owner: facilities team

Ways to Reduce Swine Flu Risk on Farms and at Agricultural Colleges

1. Provide changing rooms before pens
2. Wash hands after leaving pens
3. Keep sick workers home when feverish
4. Call a vet when pigs show respiratory signs
5. Vaccinate workers and students against flu
6. Isolate sick students in dormitories
7. Fog and ozone-treat dorms and classrooms

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: What is H3N2v? A: A flu strain originating in pigs; the v stands for variant. It is found in people in close contact with pigs.

Q: Where was the boy in Brazil infected? A: The report said he attended an agricultural school that kept pigs.

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 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 Brazil shows places where people and pigs live close together need watching. Agricultural colleges with good measures let students train safely. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for student dormitories, classrooms and canteens, and the ozone treatment service for student rooms and sick bays. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268