French Health Minister Aurélien Rousseau wants the public to stay calm over bedbugs in Paris.
Rousseau reassured citizens that there is “no reason for a general panic” and that France has not been “invaded by bedbugs.”
The tiny insects have been spotted on public transport in the French capital over the past few weeks, raising alarm among residents and public officials.
Last week, Paris Deputy Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire asked the government to take action to fight the “scourge” of bedbugs ahead of the 2024 Olympics, set to take place in the city next summer and bring a huge influx of tourists.
Despite inviting the public to relax, Rousseau did add Tuesday that “when you have bedbugs, it’s hell.”
"What concerns me is that people do not get cheated by firms that make them pay 2,000 or 3,000 euros to rid their houses of bedbugs," the minister added.
