Paris, France – A rising number of bedbug sightings in Paris and other French cities has prompted concerns about health and safety leading up to the 2024 Olympic Games. While the phenomenon has generated alarm, experts point out that the issue is not new and is part of a broader global trend.
Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist at Marseille’s main hospital and a leading expert on bedbugs in France, explained that late summer typically sees a surge in bedbug cases as people travel during July and August, inadvertently carrying the insects with them in their luggage. What is alarming is that each year’s seasonal increase surpasses the previous one.
While bedbug fears among Parisians are not new (official figures suggest one in 10 flat-dwellers has encountered bedbugs in the past five years), recent reports of sightings in cinemas and on trains have added to the anxiety. Both Paris City Hall and President Emmanuel Macron’s government have expressed concern and are taking the issue seriously.
The prevalence of scare stories on social media has contributed to the bedbug panic, creating a sense of heightened awareness and fear. However, experts argue that the problem is being exaggerated. Bedbugs have been making a global resurgence over the past few decades due to factors like globalization, the banning of certain pesticides, and changes in the bedbug population’s genetic makeup, making them more resistant to eradication.
While bedbugs are certainly a nuisance, they do not transmit diseases. Their bites can be unpleasant but are generally not dangerous. The real harm lies in the psychological impact of an infestation. People suffering from bedbug infestations often experience anxiety and paranoia, which can have a severe impact on their mental health.
Experts suggest that tackling the issue should involve targeting “superspreaders,” individuals who are more likely to carry bedbugs and contribute to their spread. These individuals are often marginalized, impoverished, and have limited access to social services.
