The True Story: Negros Oriental Suspends Classes Over Sore Eyes

GMA Regional TV reported on 6 August 2026 that Negros Oriental Governor Manuel Sagarbarria issued Executive Order No. 50 suspending classes at all levels on 7 August 2026, on the provincial health office's advice, after sore eyes cases rose in several areas.

The order required public and private school heads to carry out cleaning, disinfection and sanitation of classrooms, comfort rooms, clinics and other high-contact areas, and urged the public to wash hands often, avoid sharing personal items and seek care when symptoms appear.

The Key Lesson: High-Contact Areas Come First

Universities, colleges and vocational schools in Thailand have thousands of students sharing classrooms, computer labs, libraries and toilets; conjunctivitis often spreads in the rainy season.

• Sore eyes spreads through hands and objects, so disinfecting touch points matters
• The order named the areas: classrooms, toilets, clinics and high-contact spots
• Do not share personal items such as handkerchiefs or eye drops
• A one-day suspension is time to clean thoroughly
• Computer lab keyboards and mice are touched by many people daily

How Germs Spread Through Surfaces

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), norovirus spreads through sick people, food and contaminated surfaces. After vomiting or diarrhoea, clean and disinfect the entire area immediately with a 1,000 to 5,000 ppm chlorine bleach solution or a disinfectant with a norovirus claim, leaving it on for at least 5 minutes. For hand, foot and mouth disease, Thailand's Department of Disease Control advises cleaning classrooms, toilets and toys with suitable products such as disinfectant or diluted bleach.

Risk Register for Universities and Colleges

1. Sore eyes spreading in classrooms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Screening and sick students staying home. Owner: Dean
2. Computer lab keyboards and mice: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Disinfect between sessions. Owner: Lab staff
3. Toilets and washbasins: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Frequent cleaning and soap always available. Owner: Housekeeping
4. Campus clinic: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Clean after each patient and ozone-treat. Owner: Nurse
5. Suspension without time to clean: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Book germ elimination in advance. Owner: Facilities

7 Steps to Eliminate Germs When Sore Eyes Hits a Campus

1. Sick students stay home until a doctor clears them
2. Promote handwashing and not rubbing eyes; no sharing personal items
3. Wipe keyboards, mice and desks between sessions
4. Clean toilets and washbasins several times a day
5. Book the germ elimination service for classrooms, toilets and the clinic on the day off
6. Ozone-treat the clinic and closed computer labs when empty
7. Monitor the situation with local health officials

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 a whole university be treated? A: Yes, building by building; areas are typically usable about 30 minutes after fogging.

Q: Can computer labs be fogged? A: Tell the team so they can assess electronic equipment first.

Q: What disinfectant does the germ elimination service use? A: The team chooses products by germ and setting, including Chemgene HLD4H, which meets EN 14476 according to the product page. For norovirus, the CDC recommends chlorine bleach or a disinfectant with a norovirus claim; ask the team to choose the right product for the job.

Q: Can I enter the room right after ozone treatment? A: No people or pets may 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 public university 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
• Communicable disease information from Thailand's Department of Disease Control, hotline 1422
• CDC guidance on cleaning to prevent norovirus

Eliminate Germs with Disinfection Fogging and Ozone Treatment

Negros Oriental shows disinfecting high-contact areas is the core measure when sore eyes spreads. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, toilets and libraries, and the ozone treatment service for clinics and computer labs. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268