The True Story: Numbers Fall When Everyone Follows the Guidelines

The Sun Malaysia reported on 5 March 2026 that Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad said school flu cases from 1 to 7 February 2026 numbered 12, down from 22 a year earlier.

Measures under the 2022 guidelines include temporarily isolating symptomatic students, keeping them home at least 24 hours after fever ends without medication, hand hygiene and cough etiquette, regular classroom cleaning and ventilation, and possible temporary closures after district health office risk assessments.

The Key Lesson: Clear Guidelines Beat Panic

International schools in Thailand have students of many nationalities, families who travel often and busy activity calendars. The lessons are:

• Return-to-school rules must be clear, such as 24 hours fever-free without medication
• A sick bay separates children while they wait for parents
• Cleaning and ventilation should be routine, not occasional
• Report rising numbers to the authorities
• Closures should follow a risk assessment

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 International Schools

1. Families travelling abroad often: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Watch for symptoms after holidays. Owner: School nurse
2. Children returning before recovery: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: 24-hour fever-free rule without medication. Owner: Academic office
3. Closed air-conditioned classrooms and music rooms: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Routine ventilation and cleaning. Owner: Facilities
4. Joint sports and performances: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Reduce joint activities during outbreaks. Owner: Activities team
5. Parents in many languages missing information: likelihood low / impact medium / level low. Mitigation: Multilingual notices. Owner: Communications

7 Steps for International Schools to Reduce Flu

1. Write clear return rules: 24 hours fever-free without medication
2. Separate symptomatic children in the sick bay and call parents
3. Teach handwashing and cough etiquette in every class
4. Clean classrooms daily, focusing on desks, handles and shared equipment
5. ULV-fog at weekends; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
6. Ozone-treat music rooms and the sick bay with nobody inside, then ventilate
7. Publish measures in several languages so every parent understands

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: When can a child return to school? A: Malaysia's guidelines require at least 24 hours at home after fever ends without fever medication. In Thailand, follow doctors' and DDC advice.

Q: When can fogging be done without disrupting lessons? A: At weekends or after school. Areas are typically usable about 30 minutes after ULV fogging.

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 international schools 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

Malaysia shows that consistent guidelines really reduce numbers. Schools that clean as a routine don't need to wait for an outbreak. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for classrooms, music rooms and canteens, and the ozone treatment service for sick bays and music rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268