World News: Hong Kong Sees Influenza B Rebound After the Holidays, Rising from 6% to 21%. Lessons for Bus Terminals
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 5 Views |
World News: Hong Kong Sees Influenza B Rebound After the Holidays, Rising from 6% to 21%. Lessons for Bus Terminals
From Hong Kong: in February 2026 influenza B made a comeback in Hong Kong, rising from 6% to 21% of positives after holiday travel. Thai bus terminals, packed at Songkran and New Year, should prepare.
The True Story: Type B Returns After the Long Holiday
News site Sunweb HK reported in February 2026 that influenza B was resurging in Hong Kong, with its share rising from 6% to 21% of positive samples.
Dr Edwin Tsui, Controller of the Centre for Health Protection, said post-holiday travel helped the virus spread and urged unvaccinated people to get vaccinated soon.
The Key Lesson: Holiday Travel Carries Viruses Across Provinces
Thai bus terminals handle tens of thousands of passengers a day at Songkran and New Year. Points to watch are:
- Waiting seats where people sit side by side for hours
- Ticket counters with long queues
- Terminal toilets at their busiest
- Air-conditioned coaches on long journeys
- Sick passengers still travelling as planned
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 Bus Terminals
- Crowded waiting areas for hours: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: add seating and send departure times by app. Owner: terminal manager
- Crowded toilets without soap: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: clean hourly and refill soap. Owner: terminal cleaners
- Coaches not disinfected between trips: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe seats and handrails between trips. Owner: bus operator
- Sick passengers without masks: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: hand out masks at ticket counters. Owner: terminal staff
- Terminal not disinfected in festivals: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog waiting areas and toilets after the last service. Owner: terminal manager
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk at Bus Terminals
- Hand out masks to coughing passengers
- Place hand gel at every platform
- Clean toilets hourly
- Wipe coach seats between trips
- Allow ticket changes for sick passengers
- Add services to ease crowding
- Fog and ozone-treat waiting areas and coaches
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 influenza B rise in Hong Kong? A: Its share rose from 6% to 21% of samples in February 2026.
Q: Can coaches be ozone-treated? A: Yes, while parked with nobody inside, and they must be aired before passengers board.
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 transport 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
Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment
The real news from Hong Kong shows holiday travel carries viruses everywhere. Prepared terminals help everyone get home safely. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for waiting areas, toilets and ticket counters, and the ozone treatment service for parked coaches and passenger vans. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: influenza B, Hong Kong flu, bus terminal, coach station, bus terminal disinfection, coach ozone treatment
