The True Story: Clear Visiting Rules

Fort Frances Times reported on 11 February 2025 that Riverside Health Care and the Northwestern Health Unit declared an influenza A outbreak in the West Wing of Rainycrest Long Term Care Home in Canada.

Measures included no more than two visitors at a time, one resident per visit, visits only in residents' rooms, medical masks, no visits by anyone with symptoms, restricted admissions and transfers, and large group activities cancelled until further notice.

The Key Lesson: Care Must Come with Safety

Elderly care facilities in Thailand have relatives visiting every day, especially at weekends. The lessons are:

• Limiting visitor numbers reduces crowding
• Visiting in residents' rooms instead of common areas during outbreaks
• Visitors self-screen and stay away when unwell
• Medical masks for every visitor
• Announce rules in advance so families understand

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 Visiting Areas in Care Facilities

1. Many relatives at weekends: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Limit numbers and schedule visits. Owner: Reception
2. Visitors unaware they are ill: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Self-screening and masks. Owner: Reception
3. Shared family lounges: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Wipe tables and chairs after each visit. Owner: Housekeeping
4. Large group activities: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Pause during outbreaks. Owner: Activities team
5. Relatives unhappy with rules: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Explain reasons and offer video calls. Owner: Manager

7 Steps to Manage Visiting Areas During Flu Outbreaks

1. Announce visiting rules in advance via LINE and signs
2. Limit visitors per visit and use residents' rooms
3. Set a screening and mask point at the entrance
4. Wipe tables, chairs and handles after every visit
5. ULV-fog lounges after visiting hours; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
6. Ozone-treat closed lounges with nobody inside, then ventilate
7. Offer video calls so families stay in touch

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: Should all visits be banned? A: Follow health authority advice. Rainycrest chose to limit numbers and hold visits in residents' rooms.

Q: When can lounges be used after fogging? A: After ULV fogging, areas are typically usable about 30 minutes later.

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 care facilities 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

Rainycrest shows that clear rules let families keep visiting safely, and cleaning is what makes those rules work. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for family lounges, corridors and residents' rooms, and the ozone treatment service for family lounges. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268