Explanation for the Paris Bed Bug Outbreak’s Severity Will Have People Shaking in Their Boots
The bed bug crisis that's terrorizing Paris right now isn't just gross and uncomfortable- it's honestly pretty scary. Bed bugs have moved from the hotels into the streets, plaguing Parisians in public spaces from movie theaters to airports and everywhere in between. Worst still, the crisis peaked during Paris's Fashion Week, which drew thousands of attendees from around the world.
It seems likely that at least a few tourists will bring these bed bugs home, but really, how bad could this potentially get? The answer- very. On October 3, the media brand Attn reported on the reasons why the Paris outbreak has been exceptionally bad, and it's information that should have all of us on high alert.
The bed bugs plaguing Paris right now are not your ordinary bed bugs. While it's recently become a full-blown crisis, Paris historically has been no stranger to bed bug problems. According to @attn, approximately 1 in 10 Parisian households have been infected with bed bugs in the last five years- that's double the rates of New York City.
The reason why Paris has so many bed bugs is partially just due to the sheer amount of tourism they receive year after year. However, there is a more insidious issue at work here too. It's theorized that bed bugs in Paris have developed a strong resistance to insecticides, a theory referenced in a July 2023 report from Anses (France's Agency for Food, Environmental, and Occuational Health Safety). These insecticide-resistant bed bugs are harder to kill than the average bed bug, and thus keep coming back.
This is especially bad news in light of homecoming Fashion Week travel, which many fear may become a bed bug superspreader event. Normal bed bugs are bad enough already- the last thing we need are these supposedly insecticide-resistant varieties making their way to all corners of the globe.
If this news has you shaking in your boots, you're not alone. More than ever, travelers need to be especially vigilant about bed bug safety. This goes beyond just checking under mattresses, sheets, chairs, and other commonly-used surfaces in your hotel room. The Attn report advises that travelers check all the creases and pockets of their suitcases before bringing anything indoors. If you even suspect you might have brought something home, run all fabrics in the dryer at the hottest setting they can handle for at least half an hour.
Bed bugs are no joke, especially insecticide-resistant ones. Let's work extra-hard to make sure this health hazard doesn't spread any further!
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