Bedbugs in Paris

The French government has launched a battle against bed bugs following a surge of videos on social media. The viral videos of seats on the metro and on trains crawling with these bloodsucking bugs have been uploaded and circulated. However, these claims were refuted by the Ministry of Transport.

Is there true cause for concern or is it panic driven by social media?

The incidences of bed bugs have been increasing around the world with international travel seeing bugs hitching rides in suitcases leaving no one immune to the problem.

Dr Mohand Arezki Izri, a parasitologist, is investigating the French outbreak.

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."

Bedbugs solely live off human blood and are nocturnal, so you may not be aware you have them until you get bitten or you see small specks of blood on your bedding.

Parisian Virginie's taking no chances.

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."

With the 2024 Paris Olympics just around the corner, the French government, including President Macron, are taking these fears seriously. They want to ensure that visitors can enjoy French cuisine rather than being on the menu themselves! Any reported cases on public transport, in airports or in cinemas are being investigated, and if necessary, dealt with. However, with 90 percent of bedbugs now found to be immune to insecticides, the task will not be an easy one.

For internet content creator Sabine - it's all a bit of a storm in a teacup.

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."

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