Bedbug infestations widespread in Hong Kong, study finds, with one expert warning of ‘public health issue’
- Survey shows nearly 30 per cent of Hongkongers polled, or 159 respondents, said they were affected by bedbug infestations
- And more than half of those surveyed said they faced some type of insect infestation, including mosquitoes and fleas
The problem of bedbugs is common and widespread in Hong Kong and not limited to families living in crowded subdivided flats, a Chinese University study has found.
A survey released on Tuesday showed that nearly 30 per cent of Hongkongers polled, or 159 respondents, said they were affected by bedbug infestations. More than 50 per cent of those surveyed said they faced some type of insect infestation, including mosquitoes and fleas.
The online questionnaire was completed by 600 people from July to August. Among those who took part, 43 per cent lived in public housing and 34 per cent lived in private accommodation. Only 1.7 per cent of those who took part in the survey lived in subdivided private flats.
Wong Hung, an associate professor in the university’s department of social work, acknowledged the limitations of the study. He said those living in subdivided flats in the city’s poorest neighbourhoods might not have the language and computer skills to take part in the online survey.
The problem has got worse in the last five or six years
Even so, he said the report reflected a widespread problem and painted a worrying picture.