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Bedbugs in Paris: a storm in a teacup - 18th October 2023

France is facing a wave of panic over bedbugs, due to social media. Videos of bedbugs on train and metro seats in Paris have gone viral. However, the Ministry of Transport has denied a bedbug infestation.

Is there a real outbreak of bedbugs or is social media spreading false information?

Around the world, reports of bedbugs have increased as well. Bedbugs are being transported in suitcases through international travelling. Everyone’s at risk.

Dr Mohand Arezki Izri’s a parasitologist who’s investigating the reports from French hotels.

Dr Mohand Arezki Izri: "The first reports of bedbug infestations are coming from the big hotels, the palaces, the five-star hotels, where there are no hygiene problems, that's for sure. It's people who have travelled and brought back bedbugs and left them in the hotel."

These insects need human blood to live. As nocturnal insects, we usually don’t realise they’re present unless they've bitten us or we see drops of blood on bedsheets.

Parisian resident Virginie’s taking safety measures to protect her home.

Virginie: "I've never had bedbugs. But it's true that we're hearing a lot about them at the moment, so I'm quite careful. As soon as I get home, I change my clothes and put everything in the wash, precisely to avoid bringing any back, because apparently there are more and more of them. As I travel a lot by train, I'm quite careful."

President Macron and the government are focused on solving the problem in Paris. They want to make sure that visitors have a safe and pleasant stay in the capital for the 2024 Paris Olympics. To achieve this, they quickly deal with any reports of bedbugs on public transport, at airports or in cinemas. However, there’s an added challenge as 90 percent of these bedbugs are currently resistant to insecticides.

Sabine Vainqueur, believes that bedbugs are normal and there’s no need for panic.

Sabine Vainqueur: "I've always lived in Paris, and I've always seen stories about bedbugs around. And now, I have the impression that on social networks, because there's a lot of talk about it, there's a bit of a fuss, when in the end, well, it's something we do pay attention to on a daily basis, but nothing more."