French government: no evidence of bedbug infestation on public transport | Abroad

There is no sudden increase in bedbugs, Transport Minister Clement Beaune assured after an emergency meeting with the main transporters. The dozens of reports from the past few weeks have all been checked. There were zero proven cases, the minister said.

Citizens had reported on social media that they had seen the blood-sucking creatures on trains, the Paris metro, cinemas and in schools. France is hosting the Rugby World Cup and will welcome millions of people from all over the world for the Olympic Games in Paris next year, which makes things extra spicy.

Not only has the bedbug now dominated French news and politics, but the supposed invasion of the vampire-like pest has even become the butt of jokes on American talk shows. However, officials insist there is no scientific evidence of an explosion in bedbugs and that images on social media do not necessarily indicate a growing number.

“There is no increase in the number of cases in public transport,” said Minister Beaune, who warned against panic and fear. “It is taken seriously and every reported case is monitored.” If there is a problem, immediate action will be taken, such as at two schools that have been temporarily closed for cleaning. There will be a special meeting with the ministers involved on Friday to determine whether additional measures are necessary.

Eurostar – the high-speed service that connects Paris, London, Brussels and Amsterdam – does give its trains an extra cleaning. A spokeswoman confirmed this.

Over the past five years, more than one in ten households in France are said to have suffered from bedbugs.