In recent weeks, videos of insect sightings resembling bedbugs on the Paris metro and trains have stirred concerns, sparking fears of a citywide infestation. The panic is palpable. A French politician even made a dramatic appeal to Parliament, urging the prime minister to address the issue, bolstering her plea with the theatrical presentation of a vial containing bedbugs. Adding to the anxiety is the upcoming Summer Olympics, just 10 months away, which will draw millions to Paris. Unfortunately, bedbugs have a penchant for populous places.
While the full scale of this “outbreak” remains uncertain, many sightings have yet to be confirmed. The prevalence of videos, news reports, and memes has likely inflated the problem’s perceived magnitude. Nonetheless, it’s essential to acknowledge that bedbugs do exist in Paris, as they do in major cities worldwide, such as Chicago, New York, and beyond. Regrettably, these bloodsucking pests have become ubiquitous.
The situation takes a gloomier turn as a recent scientific review points out that bedbugs have experienced a “global resurgence” over the past two decades after a decline in the mid-20th century. The authors of the study note that this resurgence has affected almost every segment of society.
Experts believe that this bedbug resurgence is unlikely to diminish in the foreseeable future.
Source: Vox
