Lawmaker wants official guidelines over bed bug prevention

A Hong Kong lawmaker on Friday called on the SAR government to establish a mechanism to monitor the spread and distribution of bed bug infestations across Hong Kong and to provide the public with the latest information.

This came after photos circulating online showed bed bugs found on the seats of the MTR’s Airport Express train compartments, following reports of infestation outbreaks of the bite-sized creatures in Southeast Asia, including South Korea, Singapore and Indonesia.

Lawmaker Kitson Yang Wing-kit, raised concerns that the infestation has already spread to Hong Kong and called on the government to issue guidelines for bed bug prevention and disinfection for schools, hospitals, hotels, cinemas, and local public transportation operators. 

This includes requesting the MTR Corporation and Airport Authority to regularly use steam cleaning machines to clean the compartments and airport areas to prevent further infestation, he said.

Yang also urged the government to establish a mechanism to monitor the spread and distribution of bed bug infestations across Hong Kong and to provide the latest information to the public.

He suggested enhancing the designated website of the Centre for Health Protection on bed bugs, including adding government preparedness and contingency plans, recommendation for bed bug extermination tools and a list of bed bug pesticides, and setting up a hotline to assist the public in bed bug prevention.

The lawmaker also expressed concern about the SAR government’s stock of bed bug extermination tools and pesticides.

In the event of a large-scale bed bug outbreak in Hong Kong, a dedicated team should be established to assist vulnerable communities in dealing with the situation, he added.