The True Story: Outbreak on a Ward Before Vaccines Arrived

Ynetnews reported on 1 September 2026 that Beit Balev Medical Center in Kfar Saba, a geriatric rehabilitation and nursing facility, had a flu outbreak with 47 people infected, mostly patients needing complex nursing care plus some staff.

Three patients on the affected ward died; it was unclear whether flu was the main cause. The centre said it treated those infected at once, gave preventive treatment to the remaining residents, and that this year's flu season started before the annual vaccination campaign.

The Key Lesson: Do Not Wait for the Vaccine Calendar

Geriatric hospitals and post-surgery or post-stroke rehab centres in Thailand have long-stay patients, many needing constant nursing.

• Flu can arrive before vaccines, so basic measures must run all year
• Proactive testing when illness looks unusual reveals the true outbreak size
• Highly dependent patients are in close contact with staff all day
• Ask doctors to consider preventive treatment for residents not yet ill
• Clean the whole ward, not only the sick patient's bed

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 Geriatric Hospitals and Rehab Centres

1. Outbreak before the vaccine campaign: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Year-round basics and daily symptom monitoring. Owner: Medical director
2. Staff spreading infection during care: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: Masks, handwashing at every bed and staying home with fever. Owner: Head nurse
3. Contaminated shared wards: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Fog the whole ward after cases are found. Owner: Infection control
4. Shared medical equipment: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Disinfect between patients. Owner: Ward nurse
5. Too few isolation rooms: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Temporary isolation zones and ozone after use. Owner: Management

7 Steps to Handle Flu in Geriatric Rehab Centres

1. Record patients' temperature and symptoms daily to spot changes early
2. Test proactively when several patients on one ward are ill
3. Isolate infected patients and ask doctors about preventive treatment for others
4. Have staff wear masks and wash hands between every bed
5. Fog the whole ward after moving patients temporarily
6. Ozone-treat isolation rooms and sick bays after recovery
7. Vaccinate as soon as vaccines are available, for patients and staff

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 a ward fogged? A: Patients are moved temporarily, the team fogs the whole ward, and areas are typically usable about 30 minutes later.

Q: Can isolation rooms be ozone-treated? A: Yes, when empty, with ventilation before the next patient.

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 private hospital 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

Israel's example warns flu may arrive before vaccines, so geriatric rehab centres must be ready all year. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for wards, dining rooms and corridors, and the ozone treatment service for isolation rooms and sick bays. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268