The True Story: Masks for Everyone Entering Nursing Homes

Ynetnews reported on 18 December 2025 that Israel's National Center for Disease Control recorded 484 new flu cases among hospitalised patients in one week and four children died in three weeks, three unvaccinated. Over the season 861 children and 1,280 adults were hospitalised, and internal medicine wards lacked beds, leaving patients waiting in ERs and corridors.

Israel's Health Ministry advised staff and visitors at nursing homes and geriatric institutions to wear masks, and at-risk groups to mask in enclosed spaces and gatherings. Prof. Jacob Ablin, head of internal medicine at Ichilov, said most hospitalised patients were older adults with underlying conditions.

The Key Lesson: Viruses Enter Nursing Homes Through the People Who Walk In

Thai nursing homes house bedridden older people with chronic conditions and receive relatives daily. Points to watch are:

• Relatives visiting at weekends and festivals
• Care staff travelling from home daily
• Multi-bed rooms
• Shared dining and activity rooms
• Residents not vaccinated

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 Nursing Homes

1. Visitors without masks: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: require masks and handwashing at the door. Owner: manager
2. Sick staff keep working: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: vaccinate and stand down with fever. Owner: head nurse
3. Multi-bed rooms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: move feverish residents to single rooms. Owner: head nurse
4. Residents unvaccinated: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: arrange yearly vaccination before the season. Owner: manager
5. Rooms not disinfected after illness: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat rooms. Owner: manager

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Nursing Homes

1. Require masks and handwashing for visitors
2. Screen every visitor
3. Have staff mask during outbreaks
4. Vaccinate residents and staff
5. Move feverish residents to single rooms
6. Ventilate activity rooms
7. Fog and ozone-treat rooms and common areas

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 Israel's Health Ministry advise for nursing homes? A: Staff and visitors at nursing homes and geriatric institutions should wear masks.

Q: How many flu patients were hospitalised in Israel? A: 484 new in one week; over the season 861 children and 1,280 adults, per the 18 December 2025 report.

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 nursing homes 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 Israel shows viruses enter nursing homes through the people we love. Clear measures let relatives visit safely. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for visitor lounges, dining and activity rooms, and the ozone treatment service for residents' rooms after illness. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268