Of Bedbugs in France and the Global Health Implication.
The recent announcement by France that there is an invasion by Bed bugs of significant proportions is worrying and cannot be taken lightly by the global community.Further news that the bed bugs have spread to Britain is cause for alarm.
Based on the definition of health;” A state of complete physical, mental and social wellbeing”(WHO,1948), it is clear that infestation with Bed bugs takes a toll on all aspects of health. Bed bugs are ectoparasites which rely on blood for survival.According to Saari, Nareahoa ,Nikander they live in cracks, crevices and also in the seams of mattresses and furniture as well as textiles (Saari,Nareahoa ,Nikander, 2019).Two species of bedbugs exist namely Cimex lectularius in subtropical and temperate areas and Cimex hemipterus in tropical and equatorial environments.
These insects are known to cause severe dermatitis in both animals and people, where the symptoms are those of urticaria papules.In addition, they can be vectors for many diseases such as hepatitis B, HIV, plague, leprosy, leishmania, filariasis ,trypanosomiasis and many others.(Paller, Mancini,2016).
A study by Paller and Mancini recovered the Methicillin resistant Staphylococcal aureus and Vancomycin resistant enterococcus faecium from Bed bugs. (Pallet,Mancini,2016).This calls for attention based on the fact that Antimicrobial Resistance is on the rise and will decimate 10 million people by 2050 (WHO) unless prevention is done urgently.The Bed bugs could become super spreaders of this resistant bacteria thus undoing all the gains made in the control of Antimicrobial Resistance.
The Global health impact of this Bed bug infestation can be enormous due to increased globalisation with free movement of people and Animals and also due to the fact that bedbug transmission is through contact.
Bed bugs can attach to people’s clothing and spread onto anything by means of contact.This includes vehicles, planes ,trains ships and others.
It needs concerted effort in A ONE HEALTH MODEL to contain this menace. vigilance and care by the transport sectors is of essence; making sure that adequate fumigation with steam is done at the end of each journey.
Environmentalists, entomologists, physicians, veterinarians and others must work together by sharing Data to monitor the situation in each sector.
Architects must also design homes that give space to allow for the removal and fumigation of garments worn outside the home. Public education cannot be underestimated it is key to winning the war against Bedbugs.
References:
Paller,A,S;Mancini,A,J;(2016),Infestations,Bites and Stings,Hurwitz clinical pediatric Dermatology,fourth edition,pg:416-435.
Saari,S; Nareaho,A; Nikander,S;(2019) Canine Parasites and Parasitic diseases,Academic press,ISBN 978-0-12-814-112-0.
World Health Organization,(2023), Health and Wellbeing, The Global Health Observatory.