-Caveat Lector- BEDBUG RESURGENCE - AUSTRALIA ****************************** A ProMED-mail post International Society for Infectious Diseases
Date: 16 Apr 2004 From: Dr Stephen L. Doggett <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> [edited] Problems of controlling bedbugs in Australia --------------------------------------------- Bedbugs have also made a dramatic resurgence in Australia and have hit the accommodation industry very hard. In a paper recently submitted to the journal _Environmental Health_ by us, evidence for the increase takes into consideration the following observations: - Our Department of Medical Entomology, ICPMR, at Sydney's Westmead Hospital has recorded an increase of 250 percent in the number of bed bug samples submitted to our pathology service since the beginning of 2001 (note we are the only NATA-accredited Medical Entomology pathology facility in Australia). - The pest control industry has noted a major upturn in the number of bed bug treatments, with one company reporting an increase of over 700 percent during the last 4 years. - The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service has recorded a large increase in bed bug interceptions since 1999. Factors that may be encouraging the establishment and spread additional to those listed in the previous ProMED-mail posting (see reference below) include: 1. The recent introduction of the Tropical bed bug into Australia (Doggett, Geary, Crowe, Wilson and Russell. 2003. Has the Tropical bed bug _Cimex hemipterus_ invaded Australia? Environmental Health 3(4):80-82). Presumably this species can colonise warmer areas less favourable for the Common bed bug (_Cimex lectularius_). 2. The lack of experience in bed bug control amongst Pest Controllers, especially knowledge of basic biology/ecology. We have seen multiple treatments by different operators in the same premise without successful control on many separate occasions. This was simply due to the failure to treat all bed bug harbourages. It is not so much insecticide resistance rather the lack of intelligent usage of insecticides that is the major issue and the reason for most treatment failures. Concomitant to this is that bed bug control is no longer taught in local pest control courses. 3. The failure to address the problem by the accommodation industry, especially those in the budget end of the industry. We are aware of some who do not acknowledge the problem treat it in a very ad-hoc manner and use rooms knowing an infestation is present. Of course this runs the risk of serious litigation as happened recently in the USA, whereby a hotel chain was fined $US 382 000. <http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/data2/circs/7th/031010p.pdf> 4. Physical construction of motel/hotel rooms. Treatment of infested rooms can be almost impossible, as furnishings are often built in. This means that insecticide treatment of all harbourages cannot be achieved. I believe the bed bug resurgence will change how rooms are constructed in the future. 5. Increasing globalisation and cheap worldwide transport, which means tourists are more likely to encounter bed bugs and transfer them around the world. These are just a few reasons for the recent upsurge in bed bugs, and undoubtedly there are many other contributing factors. One of the major issues facing us now is the serious lack of up-to-date information regarding bed bug control, especially the efficacy of different insecticides, and this needs to be urgently addressed [now]. -- Stephen L. Doggett Department of Medical Entomology ICPMR, Westmead Hospital WESTMEAD NSW 2145, AUSTRALIA Email: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> www.ctrl.org DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http://www.mail-archive.com/[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
