BMJ 2000;320:1141 ( 22 April )

Letters

Is infestation with the common bedbug increasing?

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

EDITOR---In recent decades the common bedbug, Cimex lectularius, has been so scarce in the United Kingdom that new finds have been considered worthy of publication.1 In 1998 specimens from only one infestation were submitted to Brighton Public Health Laboratory Service for identification, none having been submitted during the previous three years. From February to October 1999 specimens from four separate infestations were referred to the service; this suggests that bedbugs are becoming more common.

Interestingly, in all four examples there was circumstantial evidence to suggest the transfer of bugs in luggage or furnishings. One infestation occurred in a hospital residence, where two healthcare workers who occupied a room serially were bitten. Many healthcare workers who used the room arrived with luggage from overseas for short term work. Other infestations concerned a patient who was bitten after sleeping on a bed imported from the United States and patients bitten . . . [Full text of this article]
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Complore Complore   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to StumbleUpon StumbleUpon   Add to Technorati Technorati   Add to Twitter Twitter    What's this?

Relevant Articles

Of smokers, enthusiasts, and bedbugs
BMJ 2000 320: 0. [Full Text] [PDF]

Of smokers, enthusiasts, and bedbugs
BMJ 2000 320: 0. [Full Text] [PDF]

This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Wilson, R. (2000). Upward trend in acute anaphylaxis continued in 1998-9. BMJ 321: 1021b-1021 [Full text]  

Rapid Responses:

Read all Rapid Responses

The bed bug
J K Anand
bmj.com, 28 Apr 2000 [Full text]
Bed bugs and Needle-sticks
James E Parker
bmj.com, 2 May 2000 [Full text]
Remarkable powers of the bedbug
R E Stewart
bmj.com, 3 May 2000 [Full text]
Can bed bugs attach to you if you go into a room in day time
Ron Corbett
bmj.com, 11 Feb 2001 [Full text]
Access jobs at BMJ Careers
Whats new online at Student BMJ