France Closes Seven Schools Because They’re Full of Bloodsucking Insects

Previously: Paris City Hall Finally Talking About Invasion of Bloodsucking Insects

I thought this was a really racist headline, then realized they actually are talking about literal insects.

The Guardian:

France has been forced to shut seven schools over growing concerns over an infestation of bedbugs, the education minister has said.

“Bedbugs were detected at various levels in … I believe 17 institutions, and currently as I speak to you, seven institutions are closed for this reason,” Gabriel Attal told France 5 television.

The French government has held a series of meetings this week to examine surging numbers of reported bedbug cases at a time when France is hosting the Rugby World Cup and preparing to host the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Earlier Friday, the education ministry said in statement to Agence France-Presse that five schools with a total of 1,500 students had been closed.

Earlier this week, authorities announced two schools – one in Marseille and the other in Villefranche-sur-Saone outside Lyon in south-eastern France – had been shut down for cleaning.

A tenth of all French households are believed to have had a bedbug problem over the past few years, usually requiring a pest control operation costing several hundred euros which often needs to be repeated.

Oh well.