Bed bugs have been making the rounds in Revere Public Schools, with sightings and bite reports coming from students in three separate incidents over a span of two weeks, and it's causing the district to reach out to the Revere Board of Health for backup. One of the schools afflicted by these pesky insects has been left unnamed, but in response, Revere's health department has confirmed the presence of these unwelcome critters at three schools, as reported by 7NEWS.
While a bed bug's bite may not transfer disease, fear of bites and the psychological itch are enough to cause unease among the nearly 7,300 students enrolled across the district's 11 schools. According to statistics from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, classrooms where bed bugs were discovered got a good scrubdown from pest control, and neighboring classrooms weren't spared the cleanse either. Assistant Superintendent Richard Gallucci informed parents in a letter with details obtained by WCVB.
Allergies aside, bed bug bites provoke itching and can disrupt sleep, which is a devil of a problem for any student trying to focus on schoolwork. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that the itching may lead to secondary skin issues if the bite site is scratched. Gallucci also relayed the Board of Health's advice that bed bugs typically hitch a ride on objects like bags or backpacks, making personal exchanges less common, and district families were thus advised to closely inspect such items for signs of the insect invaders, as disclosed in a correspondence covered by NBC Boston.
As Revere schools grapple with their unwelcome visitors, how-to's and preventive measures against bed bugs can be found through pointers provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, because finding a bed bug, about the size of Lincoln's head on a penny, is enough to turn any home or school upside down. Meanwhile, the rise in reports this year has stirred concern across the nation and internationally, especially with Paris also battling infestations as the city gears up for the Olympic spotlight.
