Spread of vague anxiety over bedbug sightings
Public fear rises due to unsubstantiated rumors
"Follow basic quarantine rules rather than overreacting"
As bedbugs have appeared across the country, including Seoul, a sense of fear is spreading. In response, unverified fake news is actively circulating among citizens, creating unnecessary anxiety about bedbugs.
"Coupang Bedbug Outbreak, Be Careful"... Coupang Says "No Bedbugs Found, Will Take Strong Action"
On the 7th, amid vague consumer anxiety, posts with uncertain evidence titled "Coupang Bedbug Outbreak," "Bedbugs Found in Fresh Bag," and "Beware of Bedbugs at Coupang Warehouses in Yongin, Changwon, Goyang" were posted on various online communities and social media (SNS).
The original poster wrote, "Bedbugs were found in Coupang's Goyang Fresh Bag. I probably won't be able to use Coupang for a while." Another person said, "Posts are appearing that bedbugs were found in Coupang warehouses in Yongin, Changwon, and Goyang," adding, "There are rumors that they are being spread through Fresh Bag." Another poster, claiming to have worked a day part-time at a Coupang logistics center, said, "I went to a Coupang logistics center but ran away because there were bedbugs."
Comments on these posts included "I was so scared I canceled all my orders," "There are several delivery boxes piled up next door, and I feel uneasy," and "I ordered baby clothes by delivery yesterday and am worried about what to do," and the posts were shared over 20,000 times on SNS.
A user on X (formerly Twitter) posted that bedbugs were found at a Coupang logistics center, causing a significant social uproar. [Photo by X capture]
In response, health centers of the local governments involved launched on-site investigations of the company's logistics warehouses to ascertain the facts. After the investigation, the Jinhae Health Center in Changwon City stated, "No bedbugs were found during the inspection of internal facilities such as rest areas at the Coupang logistics center in the jurisdiction." The Yongin City Health Center and others also plan to conduct on-site investigations of Coupang logistics centers in their areas.
Coupang stated, "We thoroughly manage all logistics sites with regular disinfection by professional companies, and there have been no cases of related pests found so far," adding, "We will request police investigations and hold legally responsible those who initially spread and disseminated the rumors."
Bedbugs in the Subway?... Seoul Metro (Seogyo Gong) Says "Daily Disinfection Ongoing, No Bedbugs Found"
On the 7th, a post titled "Found Bedbugs in a Trench Coat" attracted much attention on an online community.
The poster wrote, "I took the Mugunghwa train from Suwon, transferred to the KTX, and then took the subway," adding, "I took off my coat and placed it on the desk, and when I saw a bug on the trench coat, I caught it with tissue. Is this the bedbug people have been talking about lately?" and uploaded a photo.
The photo showed a tissue stained with blood and a bedbug. However, the poster added that it was unclear where the bedbug had attached.
The post quickly spread on SNS. As a result, the innocent Seoul Metro (Seogyo Gong) suffered damage. After the post circulated online, Seoul Metro received a flood of inquiries about bedbugs.
Seoul Metro has been on high alert since the bedbug outbreak. According to officials, after bedbug occurrences in Seoul, subway lines 1 through 8 have been continuously disinfected, and professional pest control companies have confirmed that no bedbugs were found.
A Seoul Metro official said, "The subway in question is not in Seoul but in another region," adding, "We will continue to do our best in disinfection."
However, unverified fake information such as "I can't sit even if a subway seat is available because I'm afraid of bedbugs," "Bedbugs must live in fabric seats," and "Bedbugs spotted in Seoul subway" continue to spread actively on SNS.
Nationwide 'Bedbug Phobia'... "Following Basic Disinfection Guidelines Is More Important Than Overreacting"
In such a situation where it is difficult to verify the authenticity of posts and the intentions of posters, there are concerns that rapid online spread could cause irreparable damage to the companies and related industries.
Health centers are also receiving inquiries asking to confirm whether insect bites are from bedbugs or whether preventive disinfection can be done. This makes it difficult for health centers to handle general administrative tasks.
Experts say it is important to follow basic disinfection guidelines rather than overreacting out of fear and anxiety.
Um Hoon-sik, a senior researcher at the Korea Pest Control Association, said, "Given that bedbugs feed on the blood of people sleeping at night, logistics centers for delivery are environments where bedbugs find it difficult to breed," adding, "Rather than worrying about the low probability of bedbugs being introduced through deliveries, it is better to simply shake off your clothes outside before coming in."
Seoul City is also operating a bedbug occurrence reporting center (TEL 120) to minimize the spread of bedbugs. Upon receiving a report, the district office or health center immediately dispatches personnel to the site, confirms the presence of bedbugs, and checks whether disinfection has been carried out.
Meanwhile, bedbugs do not transmit infectious diseases but cause itching, which can secondarily lead to skin infections. In rare cases, anaphylaxis may occur when multiple bites cause high fever and inflammatory reactions. Bedbugs mainly feed at night and disturb sleep.
If bite marks appear in a row or circle on exposed areas such as arms or legs in two or three places, it indicates bedbug bites. Bedbug excrement is reddish-brown. Bedbugs themselves can be seen with the naked eye. They dislike light, so if you quietly enter a dark room and suddenly shine a flashlight, you can find bedbugs moving on the bed trying to hide in dark places.
Bedbug Response Guidelines
- No record of disease transmission to date
- Severe itching can cause secondary skin infections
- Rarely, anaphylaxis may occur causing high fever and inflammatory reactions
- Wash bitten area with water and soap, then seek medical treatment according to symptoms
○ To control bedbugs
- Simultaneous control focusing on contaminated areas in multi-family housing and lodging facilities
- Use steam heat to spray bedbug habitats
- Vacuum beds, mattresses, sofas, etc. Dispose of vacuum contents sealed in bags
- Disinfect contaminated clothes, curtains, bed covers, etc. in a dryer at 50-60°C for 30 minutes
- Combining physical control methods such as steam cleaning, vacuuming, and drying with chemical control like insecticides is effective
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