The True Story: A Conference That Ended with Ambulances

Fox News reported on 11 November 2014 that norovirus sickened 60 guests and employees at the Sofitel in Redwood City, California, after an NAACP conference and two other events in late October and early November 2014.

At least 12 people were taken to hospital by ambulance on the first day. An initial inspection found no food safety violations, but the hotel paused food service before resuming it.

The Key Lesson: Big Events Need a Big Hygiene Plan

Banquet halls, convention centres and hotels in Thailand host weddings, seminars and corporate events for hundreds. The lessons are:

• Buffets and shared serving utensils are risk points
• Service staff with symptoms must stay off work
• Restrooms outside banquet halls need extra cleaning rounds
• When someone vomits, cordon off and clean correctly
• Clean between events before the next one starts

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 Banquet Halls and Meeting Rooms

1. Shared buffet utensils: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Change utensils often or have staff serve. Owner: Banquet head
2. Staff working with symptoms: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Stay-off policy for diarrhoea and vomiting. Owner: HR
3. Crowded restrooms at breaks: likelihood high / impact medium / level high. Mitigation: Extra cleaning rounds. Owner: Housekeeping
4. Vomiting in the event room: likelihood medium / impact high / level high. Mitigation: Vomit kit and cordon. Owner: Event manager
5. Next event starting immediately: likelihood medium / impact medium / level medium. Mitigation: Germ elimination between events. Owner: Banquet department

7 Steps for Banquet Halls to Prevent Norovirus

1. Keep staff with diarrhoea or vomiting off work as health officials advise
2. Change buffet utensils often or have staff serve
3. Provide soap handwashing points; alcohol gel does not kill norovirus
4. Keep a vomit kit and choose products per CDC guidance
5. ULV-fog after each event; areas are usable about 30 minutes later
6. Ozone-treat closed meeting rooms with nobody inside, then ventilate
7. Log cleaning between every event

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: What products work on norovirus? A: CDC recommends bleach at a suitable concentration or a product with a norovirus claim. The team chooses to suit the surface.

Q: When can the next event start after fogging? A: After ULV fogging, areas are typically usable about 30 minutes later.

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 hotels or convention centres 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

The 2014 Sofitel case shows one big event can sicken dozens. A banquet hall with a hygiene plan gives organisers confidence. Reduce the risk with the World Health Disinfection disinfection service for banquet halls, meeting rooms and restrooms, and the ozone treatment service for closed air-conditioned meeting rooms. To book, call 065-556-6294 or LINE @whd268.

Call 065-556-6294 | LINE: @whd268