The True Story: Surgery Waits Because of Flu

DutchNews.nl reported on 12 February 2026 that the Netherlands was officially in a flu epidemic after GP visits for flu-like symptoms reached 51 and 59 per 100,000 in the past two weeks, above the 46 per 100,000 threshold, according to public health institute RIVM.

The report said a Dordrecht hospital postponed all but the most urgent operations because of flu patients. RIVM said hospitals can limit spread, for example by placing flu patients on the same ward, and asked people with flu to stay home.

The Key Lesson: Surgical Patients with Flu Recover Slower and Risk Complications

Thai operating theatres and day surgery centres care for patients with lowered immunity after surgery. Points to watch are:

• Patients with colds still coming for scheduled surgery
• Recovery rooms with beds close together
• Relatives waiting outside theatres several per patient
• Theatre staff ill with no cover
• Post-op rooms taking new patients immediately

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 Operating Theatres and Day Surgery Centres

1. Feverish patients arrive for surgery: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: phone symptom screening the day before. Owner: surgery coordinator
2. Recovery beds close together: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: space beds and use curtains. Owner: recovery head nurse
3. Crowded theatre waiting area: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: limit to one relative. Owner: receptionist
4. Sick staff with no cover: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: vaccinate and keep standby rosters. Owner: theatre manager
5. Post-op rooms not disinfected: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat before the next patient. Owner: housekeeping

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Surgery Centres

1. Phone-screen symptoms before surgery
2. Postpone non-urgent surgery for feverish patients
3. Vaccinate the whole surgical team
4. Keep standby rosters at peak
5. Limit relatives to one
6. Space recovery beds
7. Fog and ozone-treat post-op 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: When did the Netherlands declare its epidemic? A: In mid-February 2026, when flu-like GP visits reached 51 and 59 per 100,000, above the 46 threshold.

Q: What did the Dordrecht hospital do? A: Postponed all but the most urgent operations because of flu patients.

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

• 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 the Netherlands shows flu can disrupt surgery lists. Prepared surgery centres keep patients' operations safely on schedule. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for relative waiting areas, recovery rooms and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for post-op patient rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268