Bed bugs part of department's discussion

January 15, 2008 01:18 pm

— Good night. Sleep tight. Don’t let the bed bugs bite. This familiar phrase has taken on a literal meaning in Ripley County.
Bed bug cases “are increasing somewhat throughout the county,” reported Wayne Peace, Emergency Management Agency director, at the Jan. 8 Ripley County Health Department meeting. “I don’t know why there is an increase.”
Public health coordinator Pat Thomas stated after the meeting that Peace has referred people to a licensed pesticide exterminator to get rid of these pests.
Public health nurse Vicky Powell also noted head lice occurrences have been “nonstop since school started.” She pointed out that anyone can contract lice, but Peace emphasized it’s the households that keep getting it over and over again that are a concern.
The department offers special instructions for individuals to follow in order to rid their residence of the infestation.
For more information, please call the Ripley County Health Department at 812-689-5751. Powell remarked, “I hate the idea that these kids are missing so much school.”
Health officer Dr. David Welsh stressed the need for business owners to decide what hours they will be open and who the 24-hour contact people would be if a future disaster struck.
He indicated groups are preparing for the day of a potential disaster and the day after, but he also wants the county to be ready for the days and weeks following.
Welsh gave an example of a snowstorm that hit years ago. Many people in New York City died, but small town inhabitants survived because “farmers prepared for disasters .... the people of Ripley County need to be ready like the farmers are.”
Diane Raver can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 114; or diane.raver@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.