World News: US CDC Reports 280 Child Flu Deaths in the 202425 Season, the Most Since 2009, Nearly Half with No Prior Conditions. Lessons for Primary Schools
Last updated: 9 Nov 2026 | 4 Views |
World News: US CDC Reports 280 Child Flu Deaths in the 2024–25 Season, the Most Since 2009, Nearly Half with No Prior Conditions. Lessons for Primary Schools
From the US: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 280 child deaths from flu in the 2024–25 season, the most since the 2009 pandemic. Nearly half had no prior conditions and most were not fully vaccinated. Thai primary schools should recognise flu is not just a cold.
The True Story: 280 Preventable Losses
The US CDC's MMWR report said the 2024–25 flu season saw 280 child deaths from influenza, or 3.8 per million children, the most since 2009–10, with a median age at death of 7 years.
The data showed 89% of eligible children with known status were not fully vaccinated and 44% had no underlying medical conditions. In addition, 40 children (18%) developed encephalopathy or encephalitis, a severe complication.
The Key Lesson: Healthy Children Can Become Seriously Ill
Thai primary schools have children who cannot yet manage their own hygiene together all day. Points to watch are:
- Feverish children given fever medicine and sent to school
- Sinks without soap
- Desks and supplies shared
- Sick rooms with one bed
- Teachers unaware of danger signs such as drowsiness, seizures, fast breathing
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 Primary Schools
- Children dosed with fever medicine attend: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: tell parents feverish children must rest. Owner: class teacher
- Sinks without soap: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: refill soap morning and afternoon. Owner: caretaker
- Teachers miss danger signs: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: train teachers on drowsiness, seizures, fast breathing and urgent referral. Owner: health teacher
- Children unvaccinated: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: work with local clinics to inform parents. Owner: director
- Classrooms not disinfected when many are ill: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat classrooms on days off. Owner: director
Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Primary Schools
- Keep feverish children at home
- Refill soap at sinks daily
- Train teachers on danger signs
- Inform parents about vaccines
- Wipe shared desks and supplies
- Provide a sick room while waiting for parents
- 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: How many US children died of flu in 2024–25? A: 280, the most since 2009–10, per the CDC's MMWR report.
Q: Can children without conditions die of flu? A: Yes. The report said 44% of the children who died had no underlying conditions.
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 the US shows flu is not just a cold. Schools that know the signs and prevent early help protect children's lives. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, toilets and canteens, and the ozone treatment service for air-conditioned classrooms and sick rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.
Keywords: child flu, child flu deaths, US CDC, primary school, school disinfection, classroom ozone treatment
