The True Story: Taiwan Braces for a Lunar New Year Flu Peak

The Taipei Times reported on 21 January 2026 that Taiwan had 104,348 visits for flu-like illness in one week, up 11.9%. The share in emergency rooms was 10.3%, close to the 11% epidemic threshold, with a peak of about 130,000 to 140,000 weekly visits expected around Lunar New Year.

There were 458 severe cases this season: 83% had chronic illnesses and 87% were unvaccinated. The main strain was H3N2. Officials Lee Chia-lin and Lin Min-cheng urged at-risk people to get vaccinated before the holiday.

The Key Lesson: Crowded Festivals Are the Risk Window

Chinese shrines and temples in Thailand, such as in Yaowarat and provincial shrines, fill up at Lunar New Year, with shared incense burners, fortune sticks and seating.

• Many shared touch points: fortune sticks, rails and donation boxes
• Many older worshippers who are at risk of severe illness
• Incense smoke means some doors stay closed, reducing airflow
• Prepare cleaning before the festival, not after people fall ill
• Invite sick people to pray online or come another day to reduce crowding

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 Chinese Shrines During Festivals

1. Crowds at Lunar New Year: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: One-way routes, capped numbers and pre-festival fogging. Owner: Shrine committee
2. Contaminated fortune sticks and rails: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Hourly disinfection during the festival. Owner: Volunteers
3. Older worshippers infected: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Time slots for seniors and free masks. Owner: Reception
4. Poor airflow in inner halls: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ventilation fans and off-hours ozone treatment. Owner: Building caretaker
5. Volunteers falling ill: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Rotate volunteers; stay home with fever. Owner: Coordinator

7 Steps to Prepare a Shrine for Lunar New Year

1. Fog the whole shrine before the festival: halls, walkways and toilets
2. Set up hand gel points at the entrance and altars
3. Wipe fortune sticks, rails and donation boxes every hour
4. Create a one-way route to reduce crowding
5. Give masks to older and symptomatic visitors at reception
6. Ozone-treat inner halls and storerooms after closing each day
7. Announce quieter times on the shrine's page

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: When should a shrine be fogged? A: One or two days before the festival and after it ends to cut accumulated germs.

Q: Can rooms with sacred images be ozone-treated? A: Ask the team to assess the space and materials; no one may be inside during treatment.

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 shrine foundation 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

Taiwan shows crowded festivals can coincide with the flu peak, so shrines should prepare in advance. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for halls, worship courtyards and toilets, and the ozone treatment service for inner halls and storerooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268