A widespread outbreak of bedbug infestation in Paris and other cities in France has spread panic among locals. As the French capital is going to host the Olympics 2024 in the next couple of months, the latest bedbug invasion has raised concerns about health and safety implications.
The presence of tiny pests has surged in recent weeks, causing chaos in major cities like Paris and Marseille triggering panic among the locals, according to CBS News.
The bedbugs were first reported in hotels and vacation rental apartments across Paris during the summer. Now, the tiny pests have spread into movie theatres, national high-speed trains and the Paris Metro system, the report added.
Bedbug sightings on public transportation and public spaces have raised concerns about the potential risks posed to both residents and tourists.
Specialised pest control companies in Paris have found themselves overwhelmed by the increasing demand for their services, the CBS report added. Paris City Hall has labelled the bedbug situation a public health crisis, urging the government to take swift action. Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire urged Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne to create a national action plan to combat the bedbug infestation.
❌ Face au fléau des punaises de lit, il faut agir !
Je demande à la Première ministre @Elisabeth_Borne d’organiser des Assises de la lutte contre les espèces invasives. Il s’agit d’un problème de santé publique où tous les acteurs doivent être mis autour de la table.— Emmanuel Grégoire (@egregoire) September 28, 2023
French Transport Minister Clement Beaune announced his plans last Friday on social media platform X. He stated that he intends to convene a meeting with transport operators to address concerns and ensure the safety and reassurance of passengers.
#punaisesdelit | Je réunirai la semaine prochaine les opérateurs de transport, pour informer sur les actions engagées et agir davantage au service des voyageurs. Pour rassurer et protéger.
— Clement Beaune (@CBeaune) September 29, 2023
Bedbugs, though small, are visible to the naked eye and are notorious for their ability to hide in various places, such as mattresses, curtains, floorboards, electrical sockets and even behind wallpaper. They emerge at night to feed on human blood, making eradication efforts challenging.
French authorities have responded by convening emergency meetings to address the escalating bedbug cases, recognising the urgent need to tackle this burgeoning public health problem.
Sylvain Maillard, the head of President Emmanuel Macron's Renaissance party in the National Assembly, has announced plans to introduce a cross-party initiative by December to combat this alarming issue, as per Radio France International (RFI). Maillard emphasised the importance of collaboration across political lines to combat what he referred to as a “scourge,” RFI added.
In the meantime, various individuals and news sources on social media have been sharing pictures and videos showcasing the alarming spread of bedbugs.
Bed bugs seen crawling over seats on Paris trains and buses as France battles a bed bug invasion. pic.twitter.com/XnwcrQgVax
— Project TABS (@ProjectTabs) October 2, 2023
#bedbugs invasion in #france pic.twitter.com/0LJnDkCqtz
— Globe Clips (@globeclip) October 4, 2023
Paris battles invasion of bedbugs just months ahead of 2024 Olympics
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/t9VlfrT5NR#Paris #Bedbugs #BedbugOutbreak #France #Marseille #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/ZzlgQPyXo4— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 5, 2023
Paris is suffering invasion of bedbugs. See how the city is responding to the issue. #Paris #health #bedbugs pic.twitter.com/4CfGOL8O1v
— CGTN America (@cgtnamerica) October 4, 2023
According to a BBC report, scare stories are appearing on social media fast and cinema owners are worried about declining footfall.
Meanwhile, the French transport minister on Wednesday urged for calm and said that discussions will be held with cleaning companies to tackle the menace, according to a CNBC report.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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