ANSONIA — The following information was sent by Ansonia Public Schools:
A single bed bug was found in Ansonia Middle School on Monday, June 3, and a licensed pest control specialist determined today, June 4, that there isn’t any evidence that there are any other bed bugs in the school.
“A letter was sent home with Ansonia Middle School students, notifying parents and guardians about this isolated incident,” Dr. Carol Merlone, Superintendent of Schools, reported this afternoon.
She said the school nurse found an insect in one of the exam rooms in her office, and the insect was removed from the exam room and immediately sent for analysis to the Department of Entomology at the Connecticut Agricultural Experimental Station in New Haven.
It was determined that the insect was a “common” bed bug, Dr. Merlone said. She added that the Valley Health Department was also notified.
The parent letter provided information about bed bugs, including that they do not carry diseases but are a nuisance; that they cannot survive out of their own environment; and that schools are not likely to have a major infestation but rather may have a few bugs which are carried by students or adults.
Anyone with additional questions about bed bugs may call the Naugatuck Valley Health District at (203) 881‑3255.
“We are working with the student and the family,” Dr. Merlone said, adding that the licensed pest control specialist will return to ensure that the school remains free of bed bugs.
The final day of the school year is this Friday, June 7.
