The True Story: When Only a Curtain Separates Beds

A report dated 22 January 2019 said several Japanese care homes had deaths during flu outbreaks. At Hokudanso in Awaji, Hyogo, seven residents died among 74 infected residents and staff, even though everyone had been vaccinated.

At Shokyoen in Akita, which had no private rooms, infected residents were separated by curtains, while about 1.6 million people nationwide were treated for flu in a single week.

The Key Lesson: A Curtain Is Not a Wall

Many multi-bed wards, elderly wards and recovery centres in Thailand keep several beds in one room. The lessons are:

• Vaccines reduce severity but other measures are still needed
• Shared rooms need bed spacing and ventilation
• Privacy curtains must be laundered or changed regularly
• Sick staff must stay home so they don't bring the virus in
• Clean the whole room when a shared room has a patient

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 Multi-Bed Wards

1. Beds in one shared room: likelihood high / impact high / level critical. Mitigation: Space beds, zone patients and ventilate. Owner: Ward head
2. Contaminated curtains: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Launder or change curtains regularly. Owner: Laundry
3. Sick staff at work: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Sick leave policy and symptom checks. Owner: Manager
4. No isolation room: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Temporary isolation zone and PPE. Owner: Infection control
5. Poor winter ventilation: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Ventilate regularly. Owner: Facilities

7 Steps for Multi-Bed Wards to Handle Flu

1. Zone flu patients in one part of the room
2. Space beds as far apart as the room allows
3. Change or launder curtains when patients move
4. Wipe bed rails and bedside tables several times a day
5. ULV-fog vacated zones; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
6. Ozone-treat rooms once all patients move out, with nobody inside, then ventilate
7. Review isolation plans before the next season

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 outbreaks happen even after vaccination? A: Yes. At Hokudanso in 2019 everyone had been vaccinated yet an outbreak occurred, so several measures are needed together.

Q: Can a shared room be ozone-treated? A: Yes, once all patients have moved out. No people or pets may be inside during treatment, and it must be ventilated before use.

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 hospitals 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

Japan in 2019 shows that vaccines and curtains alone are not enough. Multi-bed wards need cleaning and zoning too. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for multi-bed wards, corridors and restrooms, and the ozone treatment service for shared rooms after patients move. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268