The True Story: Europe Faces an Earlier Flu Season Than Expected

Portfolio reported on 21 November 2025 that the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) found respiratory viruses circulating surprisingly early. It recommended that staff and visitors in healthcare settings wear masks when circulation is high and that antiviral prophylaxis be considered during outbreaks in long-term care facilities.

Edoardo Colzani of the ECDC urged at-risk people to get vaccinated, saying please don't wait.

The Key Lesson: Act Before the Outbreak Reaches Residents

Nursing homes in Thailand care for older people with chronic illness, with carers changing every shift and relatives visiting daily.

• Do not wait for cases: vaccinate residents and staff early
• Masks for staff and visitors when community circulation is high
• Call the doctor as soon as several residents are ill to consider antivirals
• Restrict symptomatic visitors and set up handwashing at the door
• Clean sick residents' rooms after recovery before reuse

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 Nursing Homes and Elderly Care

1. Residents infected and seriously ill: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Early vaccination, isolation and fogging of common areas. Owner: Facility manager
2. Carers bringing infection in: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: Shift screening, masks and staying home with fever. Owner: Head nurse
3. Symptomatic relatives visiting: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Visitor screening and masks when circulation is high. Owner: Reception
4. Germs left in sick residents' rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ozone-treat rooms after recovery. Owner: Housekeeping
5. Crowded activity rooms: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Smaller groups and ventilation. Owner: Activity therapist

7 Steps to Prevent Flu in Nursing Homes

1. Vaccinate residents and staff before the season
2. Screen staff every shift; feverish staff stay home
3. Screen visitors and require masks when circulation is high
4. Isolate sick residents and inform the doctor at once
5. Fog common areas: dining rooms, activity rooms and corridors
6. Ozone-treat rooms after residents recover, then ventilate
7. Log daily illness counts to spot outbreaks early

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 is fogging done in an elderly care home? A: The team fogs areas temporarily cleared of residents, and areas are typically usable about 30 minutes later.

Q: Is ozone treatment safe for residents' rooms? A: No one may be in the room during treatment; ventilate before residents 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 care home 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 ECDC's warning is clear: do not wait. Care homes should prepare now. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for dining rooms, activity rooms and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for residents' rooms after illness. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268