Bedbug infestation plagues Paris amid Olympic preps: they are in cinemas, hospitals

Paris is facing a severe bedbug infestation problem ahead of the Olympics.

A bedbug epidemic has gripped Paris, prompting concerns about the safety and reputation of the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympics. Reports of the tiny bloodsucking insects infesting public transport, cinemas, and even hospitals have sent concerns flying among residents.

While headlines scream of an unprecedented bedbug scourge, the reality is more complex. According to Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist at Marseille's main hospital, the annual late summer spike in bedbug sightings is not a new phenomenon.

It is driven by the migration of travellers during July and August, who unwittingly transport these pests in their luggage, with each year's increase surpassing the last.

The alarming reports have caused panic to spread online, transforming what was once a slow-day newspaper topic into a national emergency.

Cinemas are grappling with declining attendance as videos circulate showing unidentified mites infesting seats, while metro commuters now scrutinize upholstery and some opt to stand. College students have been uploading disturbing footage of bedbugs on train seats, causing distress among commuters.

As the French capital braces to welcome millions of visitors for the 2024 Olympics, the rising bedbug infestations have cast a dark shadow over the grand event. Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire voiced his concerns, stating that "no one is safe" due to the surging infestations and the insects' growing resistance to pesticides.

Bedbugs, small brown insects about the size of apple seeds, take refuge in mattresses and box springs, emerging at night to feed on human blood. Their ability to quickly migrate to clothing and luggage makes them a menace not just in bedrooms but also on public transportation.

Financially, they are a burden, costing an average of €866 (Rs 75,574) per household to eradicate, with an annual national average expenditure of €230 million.

The severity of the issue is evident as Parisians demand that bedbug treatments be included in home insurance policies.

A recent survey by the French health agency ANSES reveals that approximately 1 in 10 French households suffered from bedbug infestations between 2017 and 2022. The report highlights that while bedbugs do not transmit diseases, they have a significant impact on the quality of life, causing sleep disturbances and mental health issues.