The real surprise guests of Paris Fashion Week? Bed bugs

The "bed bug crisis" currently plaguing Paris is not just a simple emergency; it is a problem that intends to be much more complicated than that. In recent days, the international media has been on high alert, capitalising on the rare association of well-dressed fashion elites with these disgusting pests. It's true that the idea of a bed bug infestation coinciding with Paris Fashion Week, one of the most luxurious and glamorous weeks of the year, is an irony that is sure to catch the attention of many. From Time's article titled "Widespread Epidemic of Bed Bugs Hits Paris During Fashion Week" to the BBC's piece titled "Bed Bug Panic Grips Paris as Infestations Soar Ahead of 2024 Olympics," one might think that Parisians are walking around in hazmat suits as we speak.

These insects have been spotted in cinemas, at CDG airport, and on public transportation, but it's business as usual if you stroll through the streets of Paris right now; you wouldn't know it. That being said, Parisians have faced this issue before, much like the residents of nearly all major urban centers, as these creatures thrive in environments with a lot of movement and traffic by foot. In 2010, bed bugs invaded New York City, and Mayor Mike Bloomberg was forced to appoint a "bed bug czar." While headlines associating the words bed bugs to Paris Fashion Week managed to ring the alarm, no little critters managed to delay this year's fashion shows. Nevertheless, just like the press, it didn't stop social media from doing what they do best by sharing numerous memes on the subject, trying their best to find a selfish glimmer of hope in an undesirable situation.

Emmanuel Grégoire, Deputy Mayor of Paris, sent a letter to Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne last week urging action. However, at almost the same time, he stated on the radio station LCI, «Bed bugs have always been there.» While the Prime Minister responded by promising immediate measures, no one knows exactly how health authorities will tackle the issue. Jean-Michel Berenger, an entomologist considered the "French expert on bed bugs," pointed out that there is a seasonal increase in bed bugs every year during this post-summer period. It's important to remember that bed bugs are not deadly, it's not impossible to get rid of them, and they are not a unique threat that we have never faced before. While Fashion Week certainly provided the media with an opportunity to highlight the irony of the situation, the Paris 2024 Olympics, scheduled for July 26 to August 11, are causing more concern. The event is expected to attract millions of enthusiastic tourists and bring millions of euros to the French capital, but if bed bug sightings continue, could these tiny insects have an even larger impact?