보건복지부 영문홈페이지

MOHW Inspects the Bedbug Infestation Situation

and Response System

- MOHW inspects the proliferation of bedbug outbreaks and discusses countermeasures focusing on publicly used facilities and vulnerable facilities -

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW, Minister Cho, KyooHong) held a meeting to discuss measures for preventing the spread of bedbugs at 2 PM on November 10 (Friday), presided over by Deputy Minister for Healthcare Policy Jun Byung Wang of the MOHW, and has begun conducting inspections of bedbug outbreaks and countermeasure systems in public health business establishments and social welfare facilities, as well as lodging business and public bath business establishments.

In conjunction with the government’s joint countermeasure task force, which has been formed to prevent the spread of bedbugs by implementing a ‘bedbug intensive inspection and control period’ for four weeks from November 13 to December 8, the MOHW has established a sample inspection plan, jointly with municipalities, targeting lodging business, and public bath business establishments, medical institutions, sanatorium, child care centers, and residential homes for persons with disabilities and has decided to conduct joint inspections of some facilities. Additionally, a checklist for bedbug identification and prevention has been distributed, and individual facilities have been requested to check thoroughly for the presence of bedbugs in order to confirm a potential bed bug infestation and to adhere thoroughly to the preventive measures.

During the meeting, various matters were discussed including the status of bedbug outbreaks, the related reports produced by each facility, and matters requiring direct inspection or support from the MOHW during the hygiene inspection process, which is basically centered on municipalities. It was also decided to supplement the “Bedbug Guide” prepared by ministries including the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency and the Ministry of Environment and to take timely action, such as promptly sharing the relevant information with the facilities concerned as soon as authorization for the emergency use of pesticides has been finalized.

Deputy Minister for Healthcare Policy Jun Byung Wang announced, “The presence of bedbugs in medical institutions or social welfare facilities has not been reported so far. However, as reports of bedbugs are still increasing nationwide, we will continue to conduct onsite inspections and monitoring as part of our robust hygiene management measures and devote our best efforts to safeguarding public health.” ///