The True Story: Macau's Child Flu Passes the Alert Level

The Macau Daily Times reported on 8 July 2025 that Macau's weekly flu detection rate had passed the 13.1% alert level. Flu made up 24.5% of paediatric emergency visits, and lab positivity was 20.9%, with type B at 54.8% and H3 at 38.1%.

Outbreaks were mainly in nurseries, kindergartens and primary schools. Ten severe cases needed ventilators, and seven of them were unvaccinated.

The Key Lesson: Where Children Play Together, Germs Spread Together

Indoor playgrounds and kids' play centres in Thai malls have children from many families sharing ball pits, slides and toys every day.

• Ball pits and mats collect germs, so set clear cleaning rounds
• Sick children should not play: post signs and have staff watch for symptoms
• Handwashing before and after play as a house rule
• Cap children per session at weekends and in school holidays
• Closed mall spaces have little airflow, so look after the air too

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 Indoor Playgrounds and Kids' Play Centres

1. Germs building up in ball pits and mats: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: Scheduled ball cleaning and fogging after closing. Owner: Branch manager
2. Sick children coming in to play: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Entrance screening and a rebooking policy. Owner: Front desk
3. Shared toys in children's mouths: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Rotate toys and disinfect daily. Owner: Zone staff
4. Closed spaces with little airflow: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ozone-treat after closing and ventilate. Owner: Facilities
5. Parents' cleanliness reviews: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Show the cleaning schedule at the entrance. Owner: Marketing

7 Steps to Keep a Playground Safe from Flu

1. Post signs asking sick children to stay away, with a ticket rebooking policy
2. Set up a handwashing point at the entrance for before and after play
3. Cap children per session at weekends
4. Wipe slides, rails and mats between sessions
5. Wash and disinfect balls and toys on a fixed schedule
6. Fog the whole area after closing, then ozone-treat enclosed zones
7. Display the cleaning schedule for parents

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 often should a playground be fogged? A: In flu season, regularly after closing, with wiping between sessions.

Q: When can children play after fogging? A: Typically about 30 minutes later, after ventilating before opening.

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 mall tenant 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

Macau shows young children are heavily infected, so children's play spaces must always be clean. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for play zones and waiting areas, and the ozone treatment service for enclosed zones, party rooms and toy stores. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268