In a recent incident at Honolulu's Daniel K. Inouye International Airport, bedbugs created a major disturbance, leading to the closure and thorough sanitization of three gates in Terminal 2. The affected terminal houses prominent airlines like Delta, United, American, and Southwest, as reported by SFGate.
The issue first came to light on May 29 when a swarm of bedbugs was discovered within Terminal 2, forcing the airport authorities to take immediate action. The Hawaii Department of Transportation swiftly directed staff to eliminate any items that might have attracted the pests.
However, the situation took a turn for the worse when a Southwest Airlines manager encountered more bedbugs the following day and even managed to capture one. This prompted an additional round of extensive cleaning and disinfection in the terminal. Gates E5 through E7 were temporarily closed to facilitate carpet cleaning at high temperatures, while a non-toxic spray was utilized to eradicate the bedbugs effectively. According to SFGate, the HDOT plans to intermittently close the gates over the next few weeks for regular inspections and to prevent any potential infestations.
The Hawaii Disease Outbreak Control Division emphasizes that bedbugs are easily transmitted through travel, as they can hide in the seams and folds of luggage, overnight bags, clothing, bedding, and furniture. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) warns that the surge in post-COVID travel across the country may contribute to the increased incidence of bedbug infestations, including at the Oahu airport. With approximately 73,000 inbound passengers daily, the airport faces a higher risk, according to SF Gate.
The EPA attributes the rise in bedbug cases in the United States to several factors, including increased travel, lack of awareness regarding prevention methods, the growing resistance of bedbugs to pesticides, and ineffective pest control practices.
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent the spread of bedbugs, particularly in high-traffic areas such as airports. The Hawaii Department of Transportation remains committed to ensuring the safety and comfort of passengers and will continue to implement necessary precautions to address any potential bedbug infestations.