Bed bug patrols on Leicester trains as East Midlands Railway …

East Midlands Railway has confirmed it has increased its "vigilance" for bed bugs as reports of infestations have increased in London. The train company ^[1] has said they have not had any cases on their trains as yet, but they are taking steps including nightly inspections of seats.

Travel operators in Manchester have confirmed regular deep cleans were being carried out on the city's trams and buses, and London Mayor Sadiq Khan has said bed bugs are "a real source of concern" on the capital's public transport. Bed bugs are on the rise in the UK following a believed spread from Paris, where schools, hospitals ^[2], and cinemas have been reportedly plagued with the insects.

Data released by Rentokil last month has confirmed a 65 per cent increase in infestations from 2022 to 2023, with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) currently leading the monitoring of bed bugs. Local health times are not currently identifying it as a risk, and people can employ a certified pest controller to carry out a treatment if needed.

Speaking to NottinghamshireLive ^[4], a spokesperson for East Midlands Railway ^[5] has confirmed the steps it is taking to reassure travellers on their trains, which run on the Midland Mainline including through Leicester, Market Harborough and Loughborough. The spokesperson said: "EMR has the expertise and experience of deep cleaning gained during the pandemic.

"We have not had any cases of bed bugs but as a pre-emptive step we have increased our vigilance for bugs, including nightly inspections of seats and other soft furnishings. Hoovering of seats has also been increased during these nightly cleans."

A spokesperson for the UKHSA added: "Although unpleasant, bed bugs are not known to spread disease and there is no known infectious disease risk from bedbug bites. The British Pest Control Association has comprehensive expert advice on how to prevent and get rid of bedbugs.

"The NHS has advice for treating bed bug bites... Local authority environmental health teams should be consulted for providing advice on bedbug infestations."

References

^{^} train company (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^{^} hospitals (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^{^} The 'crazy' Leicestershire bison farmers who have become 'like lawyers' just to survive (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)
^{^} NottinghamshireLive (www.nottinghampost.com)
^{^} East Midlands Railway (www.leicestermercury.co.uk)