The True Story: Punjab Closes Tens of Thousands of Schools Over Pink Eye

Nigeria's The Gazette, citing reports of 28 September 2023, said Punjab province in Pakistan ordered about 56,000 primary and secondary schools closed after nearly 100,000 people were infected with pink eye.

Regional Health Minister Jamal Nasir announced the closures, and Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi said guidelines on preventing student infection would follow. Residents were asked to limit physical contact.

The Key Lesson: A Minor-Seeming Disease Can Halt Schooling Province-Wide

Large public schools in Thailand have thousands of pupils sharing toilets, washbasins and equipment; pink eye often spreads in the rainy season.

• Pink eye spreads through hands and objects, so large schools see it spread fast
• Mass closures disrupt learning; prevent first
• Never share handkerchiefs or eye drops as a basic rule
• Washbasins and taps need frequent cleaning
• Sick pupils stay home until a doctor clears them

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 Large Public Schools

1. Pink eye spreading across classes: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Eye symptom screening and sick pupils staying home. Owner: Principal
2. Washbasins and taps: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Clean several times a day. Owner: Janitors
3. Shared learning equipment: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Clean daily. Owner: Class teachers
4. School closure: likelihood low / impact high / level medium. Mitigation: Germ elimination plan during closure and fast reopening. Owner: District office
5. Pupils sharing personal items: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Campaign against sharing towels. Owner: School nurse

7 Steps to Handle Pink Eye in Large Schools

1. Screen for red eyes every morning in the rainy season
2. Sick pupils stay home until a doctor clears them
3. Promote handwashing and not rubbing eyes; no sharing personal items
4. Clean washbasins and taps several times a day
5. Wipe desks, handles and rails daily
6. Book the germ elimination service for classrooms and toilets when several classes are affected or during breaks
7. Ozone-treat the sick bay after school

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: Does germ elimination help with pink eye? A: It reduces germs on high-touch surfaces, alongside handwashing and keeping sick pupils home.

Q: Can a large school be treated during a holiday? A: Yes, building by building; areas are typically usable about 30 minutes after fogging.

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 school 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

Pakistan shows pink eye can halt schooling across a province, so large public schools should prepare before the rainy season. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, toilets and washbasins, and the ozone treatment service for sick bays. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268