The True Story: A Classroom with One Student Left

Yahoo News reported that the Shirley School District in Arkansas closed for the rest of the week after students and teachers complained of headaches, coughing and illness, with sophomore Issabelle Bradford saying some classes had just one student.

The report said that on the closure day a janitor at Shirley Elementary spent the day disinfecting classrooms and common areas alone, while Dr Cassandra Lautredou of the Arkansas Department of Health said the statewide flu season had been moderate.

The Key Lesson: One Caretaker Cannot Disinfect a Whole School in Time

Small and rural Thai schools often have one caretaker and a limited cleaning budget. Points to watch are:

• One caretaker for several buildings
• Multi-grade classrooms with several levels in one room
• Canteens shared with the community
• Cleaning products that are not disinfectants
• Few teachers with no cover when ill

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 Small and Rural Schools

1. One caretaker cannot keep up: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: rota teachers and students to wipe desks. Owner: director
2. General cleaners instead of disinfectants: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: choose standard-certified disinfectants. Owner: director
3. Sick students attend: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: tell parents feverish children should rest. Owner: class teacher
4. Sick teachers with no cover: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: prepare backup worksheets and remote learning. Owner: director
5. No deep disinfection after closure: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: hire disinfection fogging and ozone treatment during closures. Owner: director

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Small Schools

1. Tell parents feverish children should rest
2. Have students wipe desks before going home
3. Use standard-certified disinfectants
4. Open windows to ventilate
5. Prepare backup worksheets for sick teachers
6. Track absences daily
7. Fog and ozone-treat during closures

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 Shirley district close? A: Students and teachers were so ill that some classes had one student, so it closed for the rest of the week.

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 first.

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

• 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 US shows even small schools can close for flu. Professional disinfection help brings children back to clean classrooms. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, canteens and toilets, and the ozone treatment service for classrooms and staff rooms during closures. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268