New Delhi:
As South Korea experiences a post-pandemic tourism boom, the country is grappling with bed bug outbreaks, prompting locals to avoid public transportation and movie theaters to avoid the blood-sucking pests. Hygiene authorities are urging international travelers, especially from regions such as France and Britain where bed bug outbreaks have been reported, to thoroughly disinfect their belongings. “Those who may have been exposed to bed bugs while traveling abroad should thoroughly sterilize their travel accessories,” the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said in a statement.
Concerns about the pests hitchhiking to other locations have led to heightened vigilance, with authorities stressing the importance of preventative measures to curb the spread of bed bugs amid increased travel activity.
How is South Korea dealing with the bedbug crisis?
To combat the bedbug plague, the South Korean government is launching an extensive four-week campaign.
This effort includes inspections and pest control measures at “vulnerable” public facilities such as bathhouses, dormitories and child care facilities. Where bed bugs are suspected, disinfection takes place immediately. However, the People Power Party in South Korea has expressed reservations about making public the specific locations where bed bugs are present, due to concerns about possible “collateral damage” from such disclosure. The decision to announce these locations is currently under review by the party.
According to Reuters, South Korea has confirmed 30 cases of bed bugs as of Tuesday, November 7, with more than half of them in Seoul. The country was almost rid of bed bugs in the 1960s, but now the government has allocated £312 million (almost Rs 2 Cr) and formed a special team to tackle the problem. They expect more cases and urge people not to feel ashamed about reporting sightings.
A government official said the number of bed bug cases reported to authorities is expected to increase in the future. “There is a perception that bed bugs are down to individuals and some refrain from filing a report because they fear it could be seen as a sign of poor hygiene. The number of reports is expected to increase,” the official said, according to a local news channel. .