Wed 04 October 2023:
The growing bedbug crisis, which is now seen as a serious public health issue, has prompted the French government to call for urgent meetings.
With reports of infestations aboard trains, the Paris metro, and movie theaters, bedbugs—previously a laughingstock—have evolved into a controversial political issue.
Bedbug infestation in Paris, France.
— Dr. George (@GeorgeAnagli) October 3, 2023
In recent weeks, France has witnessed a surge in reported bedbug cases, causing alarm among citizens. Infestations have been reported in various public spaces, including trains, the Paris metro, and cinemas.
As France gears up to host the Rugby World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, these concerns have taken on added significance. Notably, two schools—one in Marseille and another in Villefranche-sur-Saone—had to be closed for extensive cleaning due to bedbug infestations.
Transport Minister Clement Beaune is convening a meeting to assess the situation on Wednesday (Oct 4), aiming to quantify the problem and enhance measures to address it.
An inter-ministerial meeting is scheduled for Friday (Oct 6) to provide swift solutions. President Emmanuel Macron’s party, Renaissance, plans to introduce a cross-party bill in December to combat the bedbug “scourge.” Health Minister Aurelien Rousseau emphasises the importance of avoiding scams in pest control services and assures the public that there is no general panic.
Bedbugs, once nearly eradicated by the 1950s, have made a comeback in recent decades, driven by factors such as population density and mass transit. Approximately one-tenth of French households have faced bedbug issues in recent years, necessitating costly pest control interventions.
Earlier this year, the French government agency ANSES said in a report that 11% of French households had bedbugs between 2017 and 2022, and the infestations weren’t correlated to wealth.
A jump in travel and bedbugs’ growing resistance to insecticides are among the primary reasons driving a spike in infestations, the agency noted.
The Charles De Gaulle Airport, high-speed trains, and the Paris metro have all reported seeing these bloodsucking insects.
Politicians from a various parties are highlighting how urgent it is to address the bedbug issue. MPs from France Unbowed support the formation of public disinfestation services, a national preventative plan, and an emergency fund.
Bedbugs leave left itching rashes and psychological distress after emerging at night to feast on human blood. They nest in mattresses, clothing, and baggage. As the crisis worsens, controlling bedbug infestations is now crucial for France’s public health and wellbeing.
SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES
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