World News: PAHO Issues a Southern Hemisphere Flu and RSV Alert, Urging Hospitals to Separate Respiratory Patient Pathways. Lessons for Hospital Emergency Rooms
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 21 Views |
World News: PAHO Issues a Southern Hemisphere Flu and RSV Alert, Urging Hospitals to Separate Respiratory Patient Pathways. Lessons for Hospital Emergency Rooms
From PAHO: on 1 July 2026 the Pan American Health Organization issued an alert on flu and RSV in the southern hemisphere and urged hospitals to separate respiratory patient pathways. Thai emergency rooms that receive all kinds of patients at once should adopt this approach.
The True Story: Separate Pathways Cut Hospital Spread
Health news site ConsultorSalud reported that on 1 July 2026 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) issued an alert on influenza and RSV in the southern hemisphere and advised hospitals to set up separate pathways for respiratory patients to reduce spread in health facilities.
The report said Brazil and the Southern Cone countries had 16.4% influenza positivity. PAHO also urged countries to speed up vaccination of at-risk groups and prepare bed capacity.
The Key Lesson: ERs Take Everyone at Once, So Separate from the Door
Thai emergency rooms take accident, heart and feverish breathless patients in one space. Points to watch are:
- Triage points not separating cough and fever
- Observation beds close together
- Relatives waiting in crowded halls
- Trolleys used for many patients
- Nebuliser rooms in shared areas
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 Hospital Emergency Rooms
- Cough and fever patients mixed with others: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: set separate respiratory pathways and zones. Owner: ER head nurse
- Observation beds close together: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: space beds and use curtains. Owner: ER head nurse
- Relatives crowd the hall: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: limit to one relative per patient. Owner: security staff
- Trolleys not wiped: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: wipe after every patient. Owner: porters
- Nebuliser room not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat in rounds. Owner: infection control team
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Emergency Rooms
- Separate respiratory pathways from the door
- Hand out masks at triage
- Space beds and use curtains
- Limit relatives to one per patient
- Wipe trolleys after every patient
- Vaccinate ER staff
- Fog and ozone-treat nebuliser and isolation 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: What did PAHO advise hospitals? A: Its 1 July 2026 alert advised separate respiratory patient pathways and faster vaccination of at-risk groups.
Q: What was flu positivity in Brazil and the Southern Cone? A: 16.4%, per PAHO.
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 PAHO alert shows separating patients from the door is the heart of hospital prevention. Well-run ERs protect both patients and staff. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for waiting halls, triage and observation areas, and the ozone treatment service for nebuliser rooms and isolation rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: PAHO, Latin America flu, emergency room, separate patient pathways, hospital disinfection, ER ozone treatment
