The True Story: Dubrovnik Among the Hardest-Hit Areas

Ground News summarised a Dubrovnik Times report on 19 December 2025 that flu cases in Croatia rose sharply over three weeks because the season started earlier than usual, with Dubrovnik among the hardest-hit areas.

The Croatian Institute of Public Health (HZJZ) confirmed two deaths linked to flu and its complications, and 1,271 cases were reported in the last week of November.

The Key Lesson: Tourist Towns Are Not Safer Than Big Cities

Tourist towns in Thailand, such as Phuket, Krabi and Pattaya, have piers, tour buses and boats that visitors share every day.

• The season can arrive early, so tourism must be ready all year
• Tour buses and boats are closed spaces with passengers seated close for hours
• Passenger terminals get crowded when cruise ships dock
• Guides and drivers meet many tourists and should be vaccinated
• Plan for tourists who fall ill mid-trip, including hospital referral

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 Cruise Ports, Tour Companies and Tourism Businesses

1. Sick tourists spreading flu on tour buses: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Pre-boarding checks, masks and ozone after trips. Owner: Tour manager
2. Crowded terminals when ships dock: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Wipe touch points and fog after departure. Owner: Port manager
3. Guides and drivers falling ill: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Vaccination and backup staff. Owner: Operations
4. Closed boat cabins: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ventilate and wipe seats after each trip. Owner: Boat captain
5. Bad reviews from sick tourists: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: Visible cleaning measures for customers. Owner: Marketing

7 Steps for Tourism Businesses to Manage Flu

1. Follow health news in Thailand and tourists' home countries
2. Ask about symptoms before boarding and give masks to symptomatic passengers
3. Provide hand gel on every bus and boat
4. Wipe seats, rails and seatbelts after every trip
5. Ozone-treat tour buses and boat cabins when empty
6. Fog terminals and tour offices at quiet times
7. Keep a list of hospitals along the route for sick tourists

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 tour buses be ozone-treated during the day? A: Yes, when empty, with ventilation before the next passengers board.

Q: How long must a terminal close for fogging? A: Areas are typically 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 a tour company 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

Dubrovnik shows tourist towns can be hit hard by flu, so Thai tourism businesses should be prepared. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for terminals, tour offices and lounges, and the ozone treatment service for tour buses and boat cabins. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268