France - Bedbugs: the government tries to contain the general unrest

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Bedbugs: the government tries to contain the general unrest

Paris (AFP) – With the Olympic Games in mind, the government is trying to reassure in the face of anxiety caused by reports of bedbugs, reported frantically even in foreign media despite the absence of cases confirmed recently by train operators and planes.

Published on :04/10/2023 - 19:51
Modified :04/10/2023 - 20:28

Blood-sucking insects are accustomed to rooms but metro and train users also fear them, although RATP and SNCF claim not to have found any recently.

An Air France flight from Paris to New York was even canceled on Tuesday due to suspected bedbugs... A false alarm, Air France told AFP.

To convince the general public, the Minister for Transport asked carriers to be transparent.

“I asked all operators to publish data on reported cases, proven cases” and “actions” implemented, declared the minister, Clément Beaune, during a press briefing on Wednesday after having brought together transport companies (including air transport), insisting that there was “no increase” in the presence of bedbugs in public transport.

There is a “real concern”, insisted Mr. Beaune, however warning against “fake news”.

But as France, the world's leading tourist destination, prepares to host the Olympic Games in Paris in July 2024, the government wants to prevent the event from being "spoiled by this kind of bad publicity", declared Clément Beaune on France 5.

So the minister announced "a sort of big spring cleaning, in addition to everything we are doing today, so that our public transport, particularly in Ile-de-France, is treated" before the OJ.

“Zero proven cases”

At the start of the school year, bedbugs seem to have intruded into every nook and cranny of French people's daily lives. In discussions on the terrace as in the Paris metro, no one is surprised to see their neighbors inspect their seats before sitting down.

Nothing indicates a sudden invasion, but the long-term trend is real. Figures revealed in July by the National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) indicate that in France, more than one in ten households have been affected by bedbugs in recent years. last five years.

“I had it from 2018 until 2020,” confides Myriam Dufrasne, independent real estate advisor, in Paris. “Several times, I have been forced to throw away bedding, clothes, wash them at over 60 degrees, that means my children's clothes plus my clothes in the laundromats..."

The Aix-en-Provence law faculty decided on Wednesday not to organize classes until Friday in two amphitheaters, attended by some 3,000 students, "as a precaution", after students claimed to have seen bedbugs.

Before that, at least two infected schools in the south of the country had to temporarily close. In the north, a hospital emergency department had to be relocated a day after outbreaks of bedbugs were discovered.

If these pests cause such concern, "it is because the problem concerns everyone, regardless of age or social status, rich and poor alike", estimates Pascal Delaunay, parasitologist and medical entomologist at the University Hospital of Nice (south-east). “Certainly the bedbug does not carry disease, but it is physically and nervously exhausting.”

As for its proliferation in France, “it is a reality that has become difficult to deny. For five to seven years, we have been witnessing an exponential increase in outbreaks of infestation,” continues the specialist.

But the Minister responsible for Transport insists: "In recent weeks, around ten cases have been reported to the RATP (...) all have been verified" and there were "zero proven cases". At the SNCF, there have been “37 cases” reported “in recent weeks” and, there too, “all verified, zero proven,” he added.


https://www.france24.com/fr/info-en...uvernement-tente-de-contenir-l-émoi-général-1

 

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Bedbugs

update 05.10.23​

Health and environment

Bed bugs are not limited to one type of home. They can be found inside single-family homes, multi-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels, airplanes and hospitals. The cleanliness of a home is not a factor preventing a first infestation, but good hygiene and rapid detection help avoid hyper-infestations.

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What is a bedbug?

The bedbug (or Cimex lectularius ) is one of the oldest human parasites. It is a small insect the size of an apple seed, which has an oval-shaped body. Brown and wingless, an unfed adult is approximately 5 to 7 mm long. After feeding, it enlarges slightly and takes on a dark blood-red color.

The bed bug feeds at night, mainly on human blood within a few minutes and returns to hide after its finished meal. She cannot climb metal or polished surfaces easily, much less fly or jump. It can move several meters and can be transported, particularly by hiding in clothing and suitcases. They thus cover long distances. During the first month of contamination of a home, the nuisances are little or not perceived by the residents. When the link is made between bites during sleep and the presence of insects, the infestation may already be quite significant.

What does a bedbug bite look like?

Bed bug bites are often painless at the moment of the bite. But 1 to 2 hours later itching and red marks appear on the skin like a mosquito bite. We sometimes find four to five bites, often in rows or grouped together in the same place on the skin. Bites are usually located on the uncovered parts of the arms, legs and back.

The skin reaction depends on the sensitivity of the individual:

• Some people don't even know they've been stung and won't see any stings;
• For some, the bites disappear after a few hours or even a few days without treatment;
• For others, they manifest as a more or less localized allergic reaction, with itchy, bright red blisters that are quite painful and can develop into a generalized reaction. If you suffer from persistent itching, consult your doctor who can prescribe a cream to relieve it. It is always best not to scratch so as not to over-infect the lesions.

Where can you find bedbugs?

They are found all over the world whatever the climate. The infestation can concern an isolated dwelling as well as an entire building or even a neighborhood.

They can also infest other living spaces, hotels, guest rooms, hospitals, retirement homes, nurseries, schools, dormitories are possible places of contamination.

Why are bedbug infestations on the rise?

Since the end of the 1990s, bed bugs have been on the rise. This development is linked to the growth in international travel, second-hand trade and the development of resistance to insecticides.

How do I know if I have bedbugs in my home?

Bedbugs like dark spaces and quiet places. The bedrooms and living room with sofa are the main targeted rooms. These insects are small and especially their larvae (1 to 2 mm). It is difficult to spot them, because they can creep into the smallest spaces. Additionally, they feed at night.

However, a bed bug infestation is observed by:

- The presence of visible bites on the skin, often in a row or grouped together;
- The presence of bedbugs and their droppings: small black spots on the mattress, sheets, box spring or walls;
- The presence of large and long traces of blood on the sheets. They are due to the crushing of bedbugs while the person is sleeping.​

Bed bugs are not limited to one type of home. They can be found inside single-family homes, multi-family homes, apartment buildings, hotels, airplanes and hospitals. The cleanliness of a home is not a factor preventing a first infestation. On the other hand, good hygiene and therefore rapid detection makes it possible to avoid hyper-infestations.

Anyone can be the victim of an infestation in their home and their presence does not indicate a lack of cleanliness.

How do bedbugs spread?

The bed bug has two ways of moving, active and passive.

The bug actively walks while searching for a blood meal. Heat and the release of carbon dioxide during dark hours are the two main attractive determinants.

Passively, travel and travel allow bed bugs to migrate to new places through clothing or luggage. This spread is facilitated by the bedbug's ability to survive several months without feeding.

Can bedbugs harm my health?

They are mainly known for the dermatological and allergic effects they cause, ranging from simple stings to generalized manifestations that can resemble hives. A person's sensitivity may increase if the number of bites increases. In the event of a severe infestation, bedbugs can also be a source of fatigue or various psychological disorders.

To date, bedbugs are not vectors of disease.

How can bed bug bites be treated?

Bedbug bites disappear naturally within ten days and do not require special care. Clean your skin and try not to scratch to avoid any secondary infection.

If you suffer from persistent itching, consult your doctor who can prescribe a cream to relieve it.

How to avoid a bed bug infestation?

At home :

• Avoid cluttering spaces, to reduce the number of places where bedbugs can hide;
• After purchase, wash second-hand clothes at more than 60°C or place them in the dryer on the hottest cycle for at least 30 minutes or freeze them for at least 48 hours;
• Clean furniture collected in the street or purchased at a flea market with a specialized steam appliance (available for rental) before bringing it into your home.

In the hotel :

• Do not place your luggage on the floor or on the bed, and even less under the bed: store it on a previously inspected luggage rack and leave it closed when not in use;
• Do not put your clothes on the bed or in the wardrobes before having examined them scrupulously;
• Check the bed: the mattress, zippers, seams, padding, behind and around the headboard;
• Check the furniture and walls: the furniture frame and the upholstery in particular, using an object with a hard corner such as a credit card.

When returning from a trip:

• Carefully check that there are no bedbugs in the luggage, never place them on beds or armchairs or nearby;
• Take out clothes and examine personal effects;
• Wash clothes and fabric items in hot water (if possible at 60°) or freeze them for at least 48 hours, whether they have been worn or not;
• Heat non-washable fabric items in the dryer at the highest temperature possible for 30 minutes;
• Vacuum the suitcases. Immediately discard the vacuum cleaner bag in a tightly closed plastic bag.

What can I do if I have bedbugs in my home?

Physical control, that is to say without the use of insecticide, is essential initially to reduce and eliminate the number of bedbugs as much as possible .

Before applying any treatment, it is necessary to clean, vacuum (immediately throw the vacuum cleaner bag into a tightly closed plastic bag) and tidy up the infested room.

• Start with the most exposed areas : the bed, the sofa and their immediate environment
  → Careful use of a steam device, that is to say at high temperature (at least 120°C), which destroys all stages bedbugs in corners or upholstery.
  → Machine wash at over 60°C, for bed linen and clothing that supports it. The laundry is transported from the bedroom to the washing machine in a closed bag. Linen and clothing washed in this way should be kept in closed plastic bags until the infestation is over.
  → Tumble dry (warm mode at least 30 minutes).

• Freezing laundry or small objects at -20°C, 48 hours minimum.

• Suction (with the fine tip of the vacuum cleaner) of eggs, young and adults revealed. Be careful, the vacuum cleaner does not kill the insect, which could come out of the bag later. You must then close the bag, wrap it in a plastic bag and throw it in an outdoor trash can. Don't forget to clean the vacuum cleaner duct with soapy water or a household cleaning product.

• Cleaning with a brush : brushing certain corners or fabrics dry or with a surface cleaner is a complementary gesture to remove eggs or young insects that are difficult to detect. Be careful, brushing does not kill them, so vacuuming or cleaning the floor is necessary.

• Removal of infested furniture : it should not be systematic, but thoughtful and organized so as not to contaminate other sites. Contaminated mattresses or furniture must of course not be sold or left in the street: it must be ensured that they go directly to landfill and that they are not recoverable (make them unusable).

• Possible interventions on the building : filling cracks, screwing sockets, re-gluing wallpaper, plinths, etc.

“fuger” bombs to pull out the pins in the middle of the room are not recommended because they are ineffective, the insecticide cloud does not reach all the corners.

It is not recommended to apply insecticide products yourself.

If the infestation persists, contact a professional pest control specialist or the sanitation or hygiene services of your Town Hall.

• Call on companies specializing in detection (in particular those using dogs) by requesting guarantees (training, training certificate and certificate for the treatment of the infestation);

• Ask the professional to communicate their treatment protocol and check that they respect it, particularly the physical struggle stage. For insecticide treatment, ensure that the professional is in possession of a valid Certibiocide certificate issued by the Ministry of Ecological Transition. Remain vigilant for a period of 1 to 2 months after the intervention to ensure the total elimination of bedbugs. If necessary, plan control visits with the professional.

Articles R.1331-45 and R. 1331-64 of the public health code provide for the implementation of measures to prevent the appearance and development of bedbugs.

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Plus d’information
– File “ Bedbugs. The State supports you ” - (Ministry of Ecological Transition)
– National Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety
– Stop bedbugs site(Stop bedbugs - Get rid of bedbugs bedbugs (beta.gouv.fr))


https://sante.gouv.fr/sante-et-envi...uisibles-et-parasites/article/punaises-de-lit

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05/12/2023— Expertise

Cockroaches, bedbugs… health authorities reiterate their alert on the dangers linked to the use of banned insecticides

From January 2018 to June 2023, ANSES and the Poison Control Centers recorded 163 cases of poisoning linked to the product SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP containing dichlorvos, an insecticide banned in France. In a context of increasing poisonings and strong media coverage of bedbug infestations, health authorities wish to remind people of the dangers that the use of insecticide products banned in France can represent.

'In a study published on December 5, 2023, ANSES and the Poison Control Centers (CAP) analyzed the cases of poisoning occurring since 2018 linked to the use of SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP containing dichlorvos.

A toxic product, banned since 2013

This active substance from the organophosphate family is classified as fatal by inhalation and toxic by contact with the skin or by ingestion, it can in particular cause asthmatic respiratory symptoms, ocular symptoms and neurological disorders which can lead to loss of consciousness, cause a skin allergy. Furthermore, it is very toxic to aquatic organisms. Its use in biocidal insecticide products for household use was banned in France in 2013.

However, dichlorvos-based insecticides, mainly brought from abroad (outside the European Union), can be found illegally on markets and in bazaars, particularly under the names SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP® or SHOOTER 1000 EC DDVP®, to combat harmful organisms such as bedbugs or cockroaches. This product is also found on e-commerce platforms or through advertisements from individuals on social networks.

Poisonings on the rise

Despite its ban in France in 2013 for household uses, the CAPs recorded 170 events linked to the product SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP® over the period from January 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023. In all, 206 people were exposed to this period.

Since 2018, we have observed an increase in the number of cases of poisoning by this insecticide since 2018, 104 cases were declared between January 2022 and June 2023.
This increase should be seen in light of the increase in infestations by bedbugs in recent years. last years. In its July 2023 expertise, ANSES estimates that 11% of French households were infested by bedbugs between 2017 and 2022.

If most of the poisonings reported to the CAP were mild, nearly 10% were of average severity and 5.5% of severe severity, including 3 deaths (accidental or due to ingestion with suicidal intent).

Information on the place of purchase was available in almost half of the cases studied by ANSES and the CAP. People mainly declared that they had obtained the product in markets (37.1%) or in stores/bazaars (20%), particularly in the northern districts of Paris and in Seine-Saint-Denis.

Authorities mobilized for consumer protection

As part of its consumer protection mission, the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Prevention (DGCCRF) has been monitoring, for many years, the conformity of biocides intended for the general public, particularly pharmaceutical products. fight against bedbugs.
Since the beginning of 2023, the DGCCRF has checked, throughout the country, more than 500 businesses but also e-commerce platforms and social networks: nearly 400 bottles of SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP® or SHOOTER 1000 EC DDVP® have, thus, have already been seized, in 23 establishments; online offer advertisements have also been removed.

In addition, a recall campaign targeting the SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP® has been relayed on the RappelConso site since November 8, 2023.

Bedbugs: the authorities remind us of the right actions

Faced with this increase in poisonings, health authorities are reminding people of the right actions in the event of a bedbug infestation at home.

Bedbugs have developed resistance to almost all over-the-counter insecticides. Consequently, physical control (mechanical and thermal) should be favored as a first choice over chemical control.

If the infestation persists, it is recommended to contact a trained pest control professional with a Certibiocide certificate controlled by the Ministry of Ecological Transition.

For more information, advice and information are available on the “ Bedbugs ” page of the Ministry of Health and Prevention website, under the “ Bedbugs? The State supports you ” as well as on the Stop bedbugs site on the Ministry of Ecological Transition website.

For any questions, you can dial the single national number 0806 706 806; An advisor from your Departmental Agency for Housing Information (ADIL) will listen to you and explain the steps to take.

Finally, in general, when purchasing your biocidal products, prefer conventional distribution channels where advice on the application or storage of the products can be provided.


Learn more

Read the toxicovigilance study report October 2023 - Exposures to the product SNIPER 1000 EC DDVP® - Analysis of cases recorded by poison control centers (from January 2018 to June 2023) (pdf)
Read the Vigil'Anses article - Cockroaches, bed bugs... to eradicate them, do not use prohibited products! (pdf)
Read the press release (pdf)



​https://www.anses.fr/fr/content/sniper-2023