The True Story: Children and Educators Ill Together

Aussie Childcare Network reported on 25 November 2020, citing Daily Mail Australia, that nearly 60 early childhood services in New South Wales had reported gastro outbreaks since October 2020, with more than 480 children and 120 educators infected.

Richard Broome of NSW Health asked parents to keep sick children home for at least 48 hours after symptoms ended, and to wash hands with soap and running water before handling food and after the toilet, nappy changes or caring for someone with diarrhoea or vomiting.

The Key Lesson: Teachers Need Protecting Too

Music, art, kids' gym and playgroup classes in Thailand host young children in several sessions a day. The lessons are:

• Teachers and carers can be infected and need handwashing and protection
• Several sessions use the same room, so clean between sessions
• Instruments and crayons are shared often
• A 48-hour stay-home rule breaks the chain
• Soap and running water beat alcohol gel for norovirus

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 Kids' Activity Classes and Playgroups

1. Several sessions in one room: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Clean between sessions. Owner: Class manager
2. Teachers too ill to teach: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Backup teachers and sick leave. Owner: Class manager
3. Shared equipment such as instruments: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Wipe every session or use separate sets. Owner: Teacher
4. A child vomiting in class: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Vomit kit and cordon. Owner: Teacher
5. Parents bringing sick children: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Free rescheduling policy. Owner: Registration

7 Steps for Kids' Classes to Prevent Gastro

1. Offer free rescheduling when children are ill and a 48-hour stay-home rule after symptoms
2. Wash hands with soap and running water before and after class
3. Wipe equipment and play floors between sessions
4. Keep a vomit kit and cordon off areas immediately
5. Choose products per CDC guidance, such as bleach or a product with a norovirus claim
6. ULV-fog at the end of the day; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
7. Ozone-treat closed classrooms with nobody inside, then ventilate

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: How long should hands be washed? A: NSW Health advises soap and running water for at least 10 seconds before handling food.

Q: Can alcohol gel replace handwashing? 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 kids' class providers 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

NSW in 2020 shows outbreaks among young children reach teachers too. Clean classes protect both children and staff. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for activity rooms, play floors and restrooms, and the ozone treatment service for closed air-conditioned classrooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268