As Paris prepares to host the Olympics next year, a series of bed bug sightings across France have stoked paranoia among travelers and become a sore spot for the government.
Videos that appear to show blood-sucking insects crawling on seats on the Paris metro and high-speed trains have gone viral on social media over the past few weeks, prompting some metro passengers to Post a video on TikTok Vow to stay standing.
Public transport operator RATP, which runs the Paris metro, trams and buses, said in an emailed statement that it had investigated but “no cases of bed bugs have been confirmed to date.”
In early September, movie theater chain UGC issued a statement saying it was deploying dogs to detect bed bugs “in the aftermath.”question“Customers from the Bercy Theater.
While it’s unclear whether there has been a significant increase in infections, it has become a political issue in France, which is currently hosting the Rugby World Cup. Transportation Secretary Clement Boehner plans to hold an emergency meeting with public transportation operators on Wednesday to discuss how to solve the problem.
Prime Minister Elizabeth Born said the government was working to find long-term solutions to detect infections and support those affected, while the Department of Health advised travelers to check hotel beds and offer help. People are advised to be careful When buying used furniture or mattresses.
Bed bugs have also become a way for opposition politicians to needle officials.
Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Macron has set up a task force to help tackle the capital’s pest problem and said in a letter to Born that “no one is safe” from the “scourge” of bed bugs. He said the government should declare the issue a “public health issue” before the Paris Olympics in June.
Mathilde Parno, president of the left-wing French Indomitable group in the National Assembly, raised the issue during government questions on Tuesday. “Do you need to wait until Matignon is infected before you react?” she asked, referring to the prime minister’s office.
There are also reports that the epidemic is spreading internationally.
Morocco’s Tangier port authority says bed bugs were discovered on a passenger ship departing from Marseille media reportswhile Eurostar, the Channel Tunnel express operator, said it planned to introduce “preventative treatment” across its entire network.
A Eurostar passenger Niagale Bagayoko, Posted a few photos posted an alleged issue with her clothing on her
A Eurostar spokesman said it “will also disinfect trains immediately upon request or if there is the slightest suspicion of the presence of bed bugs”.
Between 2017 and 2022, more than One in ten families A bed bug infestation has caused total damage to a site in France of €1.4 billion ($1.47 billion), according to France’s national food, environment and health safety agency.
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