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Join on Telegram Rabat – Mounting concerns around the spread of bedbugs in France have been growing, with people across the country calling for an urgent emergency response to end the spread of the bloodsucking insects.
BFMTV highlighted the situation, with many complaining about the embarrassment and isolation they are facing due to bedbug infestation.
“It’s an endless nightmare, I have no life left,” one of the affected victims told the French news outlet. Identified as Emilie, the speaker said she has been on sick leave since February due to a bedbug infestation in her home.
Due to the presence of the blood-sucking insects, Emile suggested that a “deep depression” has led her to social isolation. She even approached experts for psychological support, the news outlet added.
“These creatures have taken control of my life,” Emilie added, noting that she had to throw away all her furniture to avoid further infestation.
Feeling embarrassed, she said that she could not even dare to take her children to school.
“I feel like we’ll carry them everywhere,” she said.*
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Robin, another victim of the infestation, said he could not share the news of the infestation of his apartment.
“I only told a handful of trusted people,” the 25-year-old man said.
“I was afraid of being judged,” he told BFMTV, stressing that some people have ideas linking bedbugs to “dirt.”
“At least, that’s an idea that people have in their heads. I didn’t want them to think I lacked hygiene or that some of my friends would stop seeing me because of it,” Robin added.
Seventeen-year-old Lola also shared her suffering, as she had to wear clothing that she was told was “not suitable for her hospitality training” at a vocational school.
“When I told him that we were infested with bedbugs, he didn’t believe me,” she said.
Lola’s mother had to intervene to speak to the teacher. The young girl also avoided spreading the news to avoid “getting a reputation.”
“It’s a bit shameful and rumors spread quickly in my school! So, I try not to stick with people,” she said.
Lola also had no access to her belongings, sticking to the same outfit for three or four weeks to avoid contaminating all her clothes, BFMTV added.
Bedbugs are spreading across France, including Paris, whose transport system has been announced to be affected by the surge of the bloodsucking insects.
Reports have indicated that infestations have been identified in several means of transport, including buses and high-speed trains, as well as at the Charles de Gaulle airport.
Since then, the government has been vowing to take measures and tackle the situation.
MPs have been calling on the government to establish a task force dedicated to the infestations.
“No one is safe. You can catch them anywhere and bring them home, and not detect them in time until they have multiplied and spread,” Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire said.
The situation comes amid preparations to host the Olympic Games, which will take place in the country in July next year.
