Bed bug cases reported in Igloolik

November 21, 2016

Public Service Announcement

Start Date: November 21, 2016

End Date: December 5, 2016

Igloolik, NU 60 sec

Bed bug cases have been confirmed in Igloolik. To deal with the issue, environmental health officers and cleaners arrived in the community on Saturday, November 19. An exterminator will arrive in the community on November 24.

Environmental health officers and cleaners will enter some housing units and buildings to inspect, answer questions and help prepare for exterminators. They have supplies on-hand to help Igloolimmiut begin this process, including:

• garbage bags
• double-sided carpet tape
• multi-purpose cleaner
• reusable cloths
• Vaseline
• rubber gloves
• steam cleaning equipment.

In the coming week, bed bug traps will be placed in all housing units and community buildings to identify which facilities are affected. Every building with bed bugs will be treated.

We want to remind residents that while bed bugs can cause skin irritation and anxiety, they do not spread disease, and there is no need to go to the health centre. We understand your concern, but there is no need to panic. The Igloolik Housing Association, the Hamlet of Igloolik and the Government of Nunavut are working together to deal with bed bugs in Igloolik.

Bed bugs are not a sign of a dirty house or building, but they can be spread easily through luggage, furniture and clothing. Igloolimmiut should be very careful when visiting friends and family members who have confirmed cases of bed bugs.

Public housing tenants and homeowners who find bed bugs in their units should contact the Igloolik Housing Association office at 934-8917, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There are fact sheets and information on bed bugs at the community centre, the hamlet office, the housing association and on the Department of Health website.

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Media Contact:

Cate Macleod
Director of Communications
Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs
867-975-6049
cmacleod@gov.nu.ca

NT4