The Cameroonian government says bedbugs imported from Europe, where its infestation is currently rampant, have begun to overrun villages and towns in the central African country, forcing officials to start disinfecting homes.

According to the Cameroon health ministry, the bedbugs come out at night to feed on human blood, leaving blisters or large rashes on the skin and may result in psychological distress, sleeping issues, anxiety and depression, VOA reported.

Sharing her experience, Kuffo, a trader that lives in Madagascar, a neighbourhood in Yaounde had to take her children to the hospital when they experienced insomnia and irritation after they were bitten by the insects.

Ms Kuffo said she initially tried killing the insects with insecticide thinking they were “little cockroaches.’’

Unlike Ms Kuffo, some of the homes where bed bugs infested have been reported, are unable to take their children to hospital for treatment due to financial constraints, as more Cameroonian calls for help from the government to get rid of the insects. 

Meanwhile, the government said it has dispatched several hundred sanitary and health workers to disinfect homes and kill the bugs. Mr Maritial Ayissi, a sanitation officer with the Yaounde City Council, said the bugs are being imported from European countries.

Bedbugs infestation is a major problem in European countries especially France with the insects taking over hotels, holiday homes and residential buildings.