Paris launches emergency plan to fight spread of bed bugs

France’s Transport Ministry and Paris's town hall on Friday launched a battle plan to fight bed bugs that have recently appeared in public transport and cinemas. The measures come as France hosts the Rugby World Cup, which has drawn tens of thousands of visitors.

A tenth of all French households are believed to have had a bed bug problem over the past few years. AFP - JEWEL SAMAD

Bed bugs have been spotted in the Paris metro, high-speed trains and at Paris's Charles-de-Gaulle Airport, with disgusted travellers posting videos on social media.

Transport Minister Clement Beaune on Friday wrote on X (formerly Twitter), that he was convening representatives from public transport operators next week "to inform them about counter measures and how to do more for the protection of travellers".

Seraient-ce des punaises de lit dans vos trains @SNCFVoyageurs @SNCFConnect ????? pic.twitter.com/NyJKrdtvy0

— Dana Del Rey (@DanaShaam) September 18, 2023

Bed bugs, which had largely disappeared from daily life by the 1950s, have made a resurgence in recent decades – mostly due to high population densities and more mass transit.

They get their name from their habit of nesting in mattresses, although they can also hide in clothes and in luggage. They come out at night to feed on human blood.

Home insurance contracts

French health officials said bed bugs have been a public health issue since 2020.

One-tenth of all French households are believed to have had a bed bug problem over the past few years, according to a report published by public health safety agency (Anses) in July.

To eradicate these insects usually requires a pest control operation costing around 900 hundreds euros that often needs to be repeated.

• French health officials say bed bugs now a public health issue

"It's too expensive, so people don't treat their flat, and once their flat is infested, it contaminates neighbouring flats," said Deputy Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire.

Paris city hall on Thursday urged President Emmanuel Macron to help with the infestation by drawing up an emergency action plan as France prepares to host the Olympic Games in 2024.

On Friday, Grégoire announced on Franceinfo his intention to include bed bug infestations in home insurance policies.

Hotel beds, second-hand furniture

France's national health agency recommended that people check their hotel beds when travelling and be cautious about bringing second-hand furniture or pre-owned mattresses into their homes.

Once bed bugs are found in a home, affected rooms must be treated quickly, it said.

Bed bug bites leave red areas, blisters or large rashes on the skin, and can cause intense itching or allergic reactions.

They also often cause psychological distress, sleeping issues, anxiety and depression.

The appearance of the insects, which can grow up to around 7 millimetres long, is unrelated to hygiene levels.

(with newswires)