The True Story: An Unusually Long Flu Season

Hong Kong's The Standard reported on 22 October 2026 that the Centre for Health Protection (CHP) expected the summer flu season to last at least five months, with H1 making up about 95% of detections.

The report said there had been about 460 school outbreak reports affecting about 2,800 people. Since June there had been 25 severe paediatric cases and a 12-year-old girl had died, while severe adult cases rose from 490 to 841, about 70%. Dr Edwin Tsui urged vaccination.

The Key Lesson: One Van, Children from Many Homes, Twice a Day

Thai school vans and buses collect children from many homes, seated together in closed AC vehicles for half an hour to an hour. Points to watch are:

• Closed AC vans with children seated close
• Handrails and seats not wiped
• Sick children still riding to school
• Drivers and van aides close to every child
• Vans serving several schools

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 School Transport

1. Sick children ride: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: parents notify and skip the van when a child has fever. Owner: van operator
2. Stuffy closed vans: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: open windows between trips. Owner: driver
3. Seats and handrails not wiped: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: wipe after every trip. Owner: van aide
4. Drivers and aides fall ill: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: vaccinate and wear masks. Owner: van operator
5. Vans not deep-cleaned: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat vans every weekend. Owner: van operator

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in School Transport

1. Have parents notify and skip the van when a child is feverish
2. Ventilate between trips
3. Wipe seats and handrails after every trip
4. Place hand gel in the van
5. Vaccinate drivers and aides
6. Ask coughing children to mask
7. Fog and ozone-treat vans every weekend

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 long is Hong Kong's flu season this year? A: At least five months, according to the CHP on 22 October 2026.

Q: How many school outbreaks were there? A: About 460, affecting about 2,800 people.

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 school transport operators 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 Hong Kong shows flu seasons can run longer than expected. Clean school transport gets children to school safely every day. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for depots and transport company offices, and the ozone treatment service for parked van and school bus cabins. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268