BED BUGS

Don’t start itching, and then check underneath your bed! You see it seems that bedbugs, also known as Cimex Lectularius are showing up in many places.

The bloodsucking bugs were virtually eradicated in the United States in the 1950s. But they are now showing up practically everywhere, nursing homes, jails, apartment buildings, dormitories, even hospitals. There has been a 500% increase in the last few years!

Experts blame the resurgence on increased international travel, immigration, changes in pest-control practices, and the bugs’ growing resistance to insecticides.

Bedbugs can live for a year without a blood meal, but once they start biting their victims may be plagued with multiple bites each night.

The EPA has made some information available to the general population that should be of interest to healthcare professionals.

http://cfpub.epa.gov/oppref/bedbug/

http://www.epa.gov/bedbugs/

Here is a link to the CDC as well:

http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/ehs/Publications/Bed_Bugs_CDC-EPA_Statement.htm

I hope this is of benefit to all of you with problems or concerns.  Please pass this information along to your staff, your Infection Preventionist, Facilities department, and anyone that can be of assistance in addressing the infestations.