The True Story: Low Numbers Don't Mean Safe

SBS News reported on 5 May 2026 that Australia had recorded 29,300 flu cases in 2026, about half the same point the previous year, with activity low at the time.

But experts warned that 2025 saw nearly 500,000 cases and more than 1,700 deaths, the deadliest flu season this century. Dr Masha Somi of the Australian Centre for Disease Control and Professor Kristine Macartney stressed the season is hard to predict and vaccination remains the best protection.

The Key Lesson: One Big Event Gathers Tens of Thousands from Many Countries

Thai convention and exhibition centres host trade fairs, international conferences and conventions all year. Points to watch are:

• Exhibition halls with visitors packed together
• Seminar rooms with hundreds of seats
• Booths where visitors handle samples
• Food courts and toilets at lunch
• International attendees from countries with outbreaks

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 Convention and Exhibition Centres

1. Crowded halls: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: cap visitors per session. Owner: organiser
2. Closed AC seminar rooms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: air rooms between sessions. Owner: facilities
3. Shared product samples: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: gel at every booth and wipe samples in rounds. Owner: exhibitors
4. Crowded toilets at breaks: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: clean every 30 minutes at peak. Owner: housekeeping
5. Meeting rooms not disinfected between events: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: fog and ozone-treat meeting rooms between events. Owner: centre manager

Ways to Reduce Flu Risk in Convention Centres

1. Place hand gel at every booth and entrance
2. Cap visitors per session
3. Air seminar rooms between sessions
4. Clean toilets every 30 minutes
5. Set up a first-aid point for symptomatic visitors
6. Give masks to people coughing
7. Fog and ozone-treat meeting rooms between events

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 flu cases did Australia have in early 2026? A: 29,300, about half the same period the year before, per the 5 May 2026 report.

Q: How bad was 2025? A: Nearly 500,000 cases and over 1,700 deaths, the deadliest this century.

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 convention centres get a tax invoice with 3% withholding? 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 Australia shows low numbers don't mean safe. Centres that prevent consistently are where organisers want to return. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for exhibition halls, toilets and food courts, and the ozone treatment service for meeting and VIP rooms between events. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268