SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Stanton Territorial Hospital's top doctor says there is no cause for alarm after two adult bed bugs were discovered there last week.

Cimex lectularius, more commonly known as bed bugs, were unexpected guests at Stanton Territorial Hospital last week. The hospital called in an exterminator and destroyed furniture after two adult bed bugs were discovered. Dr. Anna Reid, medical director with the Stanton Territorial Health Authority, said the issue has been dealt with and there are currently no signs of bed bugs at the hospital. - photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

"There are no bed bugs at the hospital at present," said Dr. Anna Reid, medical director with the Stanton Territorial Health Authority.

Reid said the hospital acted quickly when it discovered the bed bugs in the hospital's staff lounge and the men's staff locker room, which are side by side on the first floor, early last week.

She said both rooms were immediately sealed off and an exterminator was called in to use a non-toxic spray to clean them, as well as all surrounding rooms. Staff who used the rooms were also asked to take their clothes off to be washed in a special process to kill any other potential bugs.

Reid said no other bed bugs were discovered by the exterminator. Most importantly, no eggs were found, which could potentially lead to a larger outbreak.

"It was jumped on right away and there's been no evidence of anything anywhere else in the hospital," said Reid.

All furniture in the staff lounge was also destroyed and access to the rooms remains closed. Staff were also advised to go home and check for evidence of bed bugs on their clothes and furniture.

Even though no other bugs have or eggs have been found, Reid said the hospital's staff are remaining vigilante. The hospital will also be bringing the exterminator back on Monday to follow up and to spray the rooms again.

"That's just precautionary, not because we found anything," she said.

Reid said that unlike insects such as ticks, bed bugs do not transmit diseases, and pose no major health risks.

"Their main health issue is that they cause a local skin reaction from the bites," she said. "They're more of a nuisance and an irritant."