The True Story: Proactive Testing Found the Outbreak

Ynetnews reported on 1 September 2026 that Beit Balev Medical Center, a geriatric rehabilitation and nursing care facility in Kfar Saba, central Israel, had a flu outbreak of 47 people, mostly patients receiving intensive nursing care, plus some staff.

The report said three patients in the affected ward died, though it was unclear whether flu was the main cause. The facility uncovered the outbreak by proactively testing the ward, immediately treated infected patients and staff, and offered preventive treatment to other residents to limit spread.

The Key Lesson: Bedridden Patients Show Few Clear Signs, So Proactive Testing Matters

Thai long-term care facilities look after bedridden patients with feeding tubes and tracheostomies who cannot report symptoms. Points to watch are:

• Bedridden patients with unclear fever or cough
• Suctioning that creates aerosols
• Care assistants turning many patients
• Multi-bed rooms without isolation rooms
• Relatives visiting evenings and weekends

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 Long-Term Care Facilities

1. Bedridden patients with unclear symptoms: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: vital signs every shift and testing when condition changes. Owner: head nurse
2. Suctioning without protection: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: N95 masks and face shields when suctioning. Owner: ward nurse
3. Assistants cover many beds: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wash hands between beds and zone care. Owner: shift leader
4. No isolation rooms: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: cohort zones in shared rooms when cases appear. Owner: manager
5. Rooms not disinfected after outbreaks: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat once the outbreak settles. Owner: manager

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Long-Term Care Facilities

1. Check vital signs every shift
2. Test proactively when condition changes
3. Wear protection when suctioning
4. Wash hands between beds
5. Set up cohort zones when cases appear
6. Ask doctors about preventive treatment
7. Fog and ozone-treat once the outbreak settles

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 were infected in the Kfar Saba outbreak? A: 47, mostly intensive nursing care patients, and three ward patients died.

Q: How did the Israeli facility find the outbreak? A: By proactively testing the ward, then treating infected people and offering preventive treatment to others.

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 care facilities 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 bedridden patients can be infected without clear signs. Proactive testing and good hygiene protect the most vulnerable. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for wards, corridors and staff rooms, and the ozone treatment service for bedridden patients' rooms once outbreaks settle. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268