It's War Against Bed Bugs

It's war against bed bugs
Health board seeks $75Gs to aid 'vulnerable' tenants
By BRYN WEESE, SUN MEDIA
Last Updated: 18th November 2008, 2:14am

Bed bugs have finally bitten Toronto Public Health -- but not hard enough, according to some critics.
The board agreed yesterday to ask the city for $75,000 one-time emergency money to help vulnerable people who are not currently on social services have their apartments made ready for bed bug spraying treatments that are the landlords' responsibility.
Public Health also decided to expand the city's "bug and scrub" program, which helps residents on either Ontario Works or disability move their furniture and clean their apartments. It also struck a team of three board members to work with service agencies to decide what more Public Health can do to curb bed bugs in the city.
The blood-sucking bugs have prompted 1,444 calls to public health officials for help -- up from 147 calls in 2006 -- in the first seven months of this year.
But according to some social service providers, the city's response to what they call a "health hazard" is not enough.
Sandra Van, of South Etobicoke's LAMP Community Health Care, said her organization pulled out of the city's bed bug steering committee when it appeared no one was taking the issue seriously enough.
"A comprehensive approach with adequate resources needs to be made immediately," she said, noting she thinks bed bugs should be declared a health hazard. "This report, including the suggested future actions, do not adequately address the problem."
Even some city councillors aren't completely satisfied.
"It's basically an excuses report," charged Councillor Howard Moscoe, who told the board he represents one of the city's most infected buildings. In a letter to the board, he urged it to declare the bugs a "health hazard".
"I know it's not an infectious disease, and I know that (bed bugs) don't kill people, but I think we have to start treating it as if it did."
Dr. David McKeown, Toronto's medical officer of health, acknowledged bed bugs are an increasing problem.
"I understand that people are frustrated, that for people, particularly vulnerable individuals who are facing severe infestations, this is a very distressing situation," he said. "The $75,000 certainly isn't enough to deal with the whole problem, but it's an urgent need."
He said the nearly 1,000% increase in calls concerning bed bugs not only has to do with increased infestations, but also probably reflects the fact that more people are reporting them.
Councillor Paula Fletcher, who sits on the health board, agreed yesterday's decisions won't solve the problem.
"This is not the final report, there is more work to be done," she said, noting another report will come to the health board in March.