South Korea has deployed a bed bug sniffer dog at its main international airport to prevent the insects from entering the country after the Paris Olympic Games.
A two-year-old beagle named Ceco is the only dog in South Korea trained to detect bed bugs using their pheromones.
At Incheon International Airport, Ceco can reportedly search a hotel room for bed bugs in less than two minutes, said Kim Min-su of pest control company Cesco.
The move came after last year’s panic in Paris over bed bugs found in public places and hotel rooms. The insects are known to hide in suitcases.
Paris authorities warned that “no one was safe” from the creatures, and videos appeared on social media showing them crawling across the seats of the Paris metro.
To avoid a similar problem, South Korea is taking precautionary measures by working with pest control, transportation, security and health authorities to monitor and disinfect flights from Paris more frequently.
The South Korean government said it was taking a “preventive measure to prevent the entry of the viruses through Incheon International Airport, the main gateway into the country.”
“As the global community gathers for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, there is a possibility that bed bugs could enter the country following the event,” the government said.
Ceco will reportedly be used to detect bed bugs until September 8, while athletes, fans and officials return from the Olympic Games.
In 2023, South Korea experienced a wave of national concern following reports of suspected bed bug infestations in micro-apartments, motel rooms and traditional spas, known as “Subscribe“, which led to a disinfection campaign.
Seoul even allocated a budget of 500 million won (£310,000) to combat the infestation. Yonhap The news agency reported at the time.
Additional reporting by agencies.
