World News: A Junior High School in Saitama, Japan, Closed for 2 Days After 105 of 509 Students Were Absent with Flu. Lessons for Secondary Schools
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 4 Views |
World News: A Junior High School in Saitama, Japan, Closed for 2 Days After 105 of 509 Students Were Absent with Flu. Lessons for Secondary Schools
From Japan: in mid-September 2026 a junior high school in Saitama prefecture closed for two days after 105 of its 509 students were absent, while the prefecture logged 1,593 flu patients in a single week. Thai secondary schools need a plan.
The True Story: One in Five Absent, the Whole School Closed
Japanese education site ReseMom reported on 18 September 2026 that a junior high school in Saitama prefecture closed entirely on 16–17 September after 105 of its 509 students were absent with flu and flu-like illness.
The report said Saitama prefecture had 1,593 flu patients in week 37, an earlier-than-usual season start, and the prefecture asked parents to keep feverish children home.
The Key Lesson: When One in Five Is Absent, Prevention Has Come Too Late
Thai secondary schools have 40–50 students per class who move between rooms all day. Points to watch are:
- Air-conditioned classrooms with windows shut all day
- Sick students coming in for fear of missing exams
- Labs with shared equipment
- Canteens at the same lunch break
- Sick rooms with few beds
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 Secondary Schools
- Sick students attend for exams: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: offer make-up exams for the sick. Owner: deputy director for academics
- AC rooms shut all day: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: open windows at breaks. Owner: homeroom teacher
- Shared lab equipment: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe equipment after each period. Owner: subject teacher
- No absence tracking: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: log daily absences and alert at thresholds. Owner: student affairs
- Classrooms not disinfected during surges: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat classrooms on days off. Owner: director
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Secondary Schools
- Track absences daily
- Offer make-up exams so sick students can stay home
- Screen for fever at the gate
- Open windows at breaks
- Wipe shared desks and equipment
- Vaccinate teachers and at-risk students
- Fog and ozone-treat classrooms on days off
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: Why did the Saitama school close? A: 105 of 509 students were absent, so the whole school closed on 16–17 September 2026.
Q: How soon can classrooms be used after fogging? A: ULV-fogged rooms can be used about 30 minutes later; ozone treatment needs an empty room and airing before use.
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
Prevent Flu with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment
The real news from Japan shows school closure is the price of late prevention. Schools that track and prevent early keep students learning. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, labs and canteens, and the ozone treatment service for air-conditioned classrooms and sick rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: Japan flu, school closure, flu in schools, secondary school, school disinfection, classroom ozone treatment
