France warning after bedbug outbreak in Paris

French officials have warned of a “widespread” outbreak of bedbugs across public spaces in Paris.

Paris deputy mayor, Emmanuel Grégoire wrote a letter on behalf of City Hall calling on Prime Minister Elizabeth Borne to act on the “scourge”. He wrote: “Bed bugs are a public health problem and should be reported as such. The state must urgently bring together all concerned in order to enact an action plan appropriate to this scourge as all of France prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.

According to CNN, He said: “You have to understand that in reality no one is safe, obviously there are risk factors but in reality, you can catch bedbugs anywhere and bring them home.”

Bedbugs are small brown insects, close in size to apple seeds, that hide in mattresses and box springs and emerge at night to bite and feed on blood. They often then crawl rapidly to clothing and luggage.