The True Story: Fiji Sees Flu-like Illness Rise Fast

FBC News reported on 3 September 2026 that Fiji's health ministry had seen a sharp rise in influenza-like illness and acute respiratory infections over three weeks, earlier than last year.

The ministry advised sick people to stay home, wear masks and seek care quickly if they had trouble breathing. At-risk groups include babies, people aged 60 and over, pregnant women and people with diabetes.

The Key Lesson: The Season Can Arrive Early

Island resorts in Thailand, such as Phuket, Samui, Phi Phi and Koh Tao, have guests and staff coming and going constantly. The lessons are:

• Do not wait for the usual season, because outbreaks can come early
• Sick staff must stay off work and not serve guests with a fever
• Prepare a plan for sick guests, including transfer to mainland hospitals
• Clean rooms specially after sick guests before new arrivals
• Look after at-risk guests: older travellers, young children and pregnant women

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 Island Resorts

1. Sick guests spreading illness from rooms: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Special cleaning, fogging and ozone after check-out. Owner: Housekeeping
2. Staff ill at the same time: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Feverish staff stay home; encourage vaccination. Owner: HR
3. Crowded restaurants and lobbies: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: More touch-point wiping and off-hours fogging. Owner: F&B manager
4. Closed boats and vans: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ozone-treat vans and wipe seats after each trip. Owner: Transport
5. Negative cleanliness reviews: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: Keep cleaning reports ready to show guests. Owner: General manager

7 Steps for Resorts to Manage Flu

1. Follow health news from Thailand and guests' home countries
2. Screen staff each shift; feverish staff stay home
3. Provide masks and hand gel in lobbies and restaurants
4. Use a separate procedure for sick guests' rooms, with protective equipment
5. Fog common areas during quiet periods
6. Ozone-treat rooms and vans after sick guests check out
7. Keep a list of referral hospitals and emergency contacts

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: Can island resorts use the service? A: Ask about service areas and travel on 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Q: When can a room take guests after ozone treatment? A: No one may be in the room during treatment; ventilate afterwards before guests return.

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 a hotel 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

Fiji's example shows flu can arrive earlier than expected, so resorts should stay prepared all year. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for lobbies, restaurants and common areas, and the ozone treatment service for rooms after sick guests and shuttle vans. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268