Ohio University officials e-mailed residents of Brown Hall yesterday informing them of a confirmed case of bed bugs.
... (This case) is the first incident to be reported on our campus
the e-mail stated. This was isolated to one room and no other incidents have been reported.
It is unknown in which room the infestation occurred.
Bed bugs are small parasitic insects that feed on the blood of humans and animals while they are asleep, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Although they are not a medical or public health hazard, the insects can cause itching and loss of sleep, according to the site.
Environmental Health & Safety will be taking steps to safely and effectively treat the room as well as the adjoining rooms the OU e-mail said. While we do not believe there is a large outbreak or epidemic of bed bugs
we do plan to be vigilant and ask that you do the same
it said.
The message did not say what specific steps OU would take to rid the residence hall of the bugs, but the CDC website stated insecticide sprays are commonly used to treat for bed bugs.
Signs of an infestation include bite marks on one's body, the bugs' exoskeletons, rusty-colored blood spots and a sweet musty odor, according to the CDC website.
Everyone's freaking out
said Kelly Schuckman, a sophomore studying communications and Brown Hall resident, later adding she started instinctively itching after reading the e-mail.
Other Brown Hall residents including Bailee Openshaw, a sophomore studying retail merchandising, had not yet seen the e-mail.
That's gross
Openshaw said. I don't know what I would do.
@ThePostCampus
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Caitlin Bowling
