The Big Deal over Bed Bugs

Current Event Log 1

The Big Deal over Bed Bugs
By: Katie Houser

Tuesday morning I woke up turned on the TV to catch up on the news. I flipped through several channels and finally saw a story on NBC on bed bugs. Anne Curry did a report on an insect that is making a comeback in the United States, bed bugs. After being virtually eradicated in the 1950’s by pesticides, bed bugs are coming back. The main reason for this bed bug boom is international travel. People from other countries where bed bugs are common are bringing the little pests with them. Atlanta’s airport is one of the busiest for passengers and the bugs they carry with them. Bed bugs are the ultimate hitchhikers, traveling with whomever last slept in the bed they were in. This includes all hotels, not just the lower end establishments. The immigration of these bugs back to the United States is more of an irritant than an actually public health concern. Bed bugs are about the size of an apple seed and dark in color. Bed bugs are usually found around head and headboard of the bed. Bed bugs bites leave welt that resembles a mosquito bite. The best way to prevent bringing bed bugs home with you from a trip is to inspect the bed before getting in them. Frequent world travelers are at the most risk of these bugs.
I felt like this story is being sensationalized. Bed bugs are harmless as ladybugs. Sometimes I think a lot of Americans hear these types of stories and become instantly terrified of something they do not know about. Fortunately, My dad is a veterinarian who works in the public health sector and tells me what really is a concern.
Source: 8/17/2006 http://web.lexis-nexis.com/universe/document ?_m=4fl55c530ca0fbe247cc89309b4c591..