The True Story: Nearly Three Times the Average

Region Canberra reported on 23 May 2021 that ACT Health had been told of 57 gastro outbreaks in childcare centres in the first four months of 2021, against a five-year average of 21 for the same period.

Health Minister Rachel Stephen-Smith said childcare centres tend to be incubators for such illnesses. Advice included washing hands with soap and water and keeping children out until 48 hours after symptoms ended.

The Key Lesson: A Company Childcare Centre Affects the Whole Organisation

Many companies, hospitals and agencies in Thailand run childcare centres for staff. The lessons are:

• One sick child can mean days of leave for parents
• A 48-hours-after-symptoms return rule reduces onward spread
• Handwashing with soap and water is the main measure
• Nappy-changing areas and restrooms need frequent cleaning
• Centres need scheduled germ elimination, not waiting for outbreaks

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 Workplace Childcare Centres

1. Children returning too early: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: 48-hour rule after symptoms. Owner: Centre manager
2. Nappy-changing areas: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Clean after every use. Owner: Carers
3. Staff taking leave to care for children: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Coordinate with HR. Owner: HR
4. Toys and play floors: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Daily cleaning. Owner: Housekeeping
5. Gel used instead of handwashing: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Soap and water handwashing. Owner: Carers

7 Steps for Workplace Childcare to Prevent Gastro

1. Publish the 48-hour return rule to every parent
2. Wash hands with soap and water before meals and after nappy changes
3. Wipe changing stations after every use
4. Keep a vomit kit and cordon off areas immediately
5. ULV-fog after the centre closes; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
6. Ozone-treat nap rooms with nobody inside, then ventilate
7. Choose products suited to the germ, following CDC guidance for norovirus

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 children return? A: ACT Health advises returning 48 hours after symptoms have ended.

Q: Can alcohol gel be used? A: For norovirus, alcohol gel does not kill the virus; wash hands with soap and water.

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 companies get a tax invoice with 3% withholding? 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

Canberra shows childcare centres can incubate illness. Clean workplace childcare helps both children and the organisation. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for play rooms, changing areas and restrooms, and the ozone treatment service for children's nap rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268