The True Story: Oman Urges Vigilance Without Closing Schools

Muscat Daily reported on 1 November 2025, as carried by EpiNews, that Oman's health ministry urged vigilance as flu cases rose from early October.

Dr Faryal al Lawati of the Royal Hospital said the situation was under control and school closures were not needed, but asked sick people to stay home and at-risk groups to get vaccinated.

The Key Lesson: Stay Open, With Measures in Place

International schools in Thailand have students and teachers of many nationalities who often travel abroad during breaks. The lessons are:

• Closing is not always needed if screening and cleaning are strong
• Watch the weeks after holidays when families return from abroad
• Sick children stay home, as a rule for everyone
• Communicate in several languages so every parent understands
• Encourage vaccination, especially for children and teachers with chronic conditions

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 International Schools

1. Students bringing infection back after holidays: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Screen in the first week back and fog before reopening. Owner: School nurse
2. Outbreaks in kindergarten classes: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Wipe toys daily and ozone-treat classrooms. Owner: Phase leader
3. Foreign teachers ill and hard to replace: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Backup teachers and vaccination. Owner: HR
4. Crowded sports events and halls: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Hold events outdoors or cap numbers. Owner: Activities
5. Expat parents unclear on measures: likelihood low / impact medium / level low. Mitigation: Multilingual notices. Owner: Communications

7 Steps to Stay Open Safely in Flu Season

1. Fog the whole school before term starts, especially classrooms and canteens
2. Publish a stay-home-when-sick policy in several languages
3. Screen students in the first week after overseas travel
4. Wipe toys and shared equipment in kindergarten rooms daily
5. Ventilate classrooms by opening doors and windows at breaks
6. Ozone-treat sick bays and kindergarten rooms after school
7. Work with a vaccine clinic to hold a school vaccination day

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: Does the school need to close? A: In Oman's case, not while the situation was under control. Follow health authority advice.

Q: Should we fog before term starts? A: It reduces germs on surfaces before students return, and areas are usable about 30 minutes after fogging.

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 an international school 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

Oman shows schools can stay open with clear surveillance and measures. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, canteens and halls, and the ozone treatment service for kindergarten rooms and sick bays. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268