(Washington, DC) – Due to overwhelming demand, the DC Department of Health (DOH) will host a Second Bed Bug Summit on a new date and location in order to accommodate a larger number of participants. Now scheduled for January 20, 2011, District residents and organizations interested in bed bug prevention and eradication will hear from a variety of experts on bed bugs. Participants will learn about bed bug biology, medical and social impacts, control, education, and discuss bed bugs beyond beds.  The summit will take place at 441 4th Street, NW, located on the first floor South Lobby in the Old City Council Chambers from 9 am to 4 pm.

“Bedbugs have reappeared in the District, as in many urban areas. Our staff continues to work proactively with landlords and residents to prevent and stop the spread of these pests,” said DOH Director Pierre Vigilance, MD, MPH. “There is currently an integrated approach to address the issue which includes outreach, public health education/training, and responding to complaints.”

Program Highlights

• Keynote speaker Larry Pinto, Entomologist with over 25 years as a pest control consultant
• Harold J. Harlan, Ph, D., B.C.E. Med./Vet./Urban Entomologist
• Johanna Shreve, Chief Tenant Advocate, DC Office of the Tenant Advocate
• Baldwin Williams, Entomologist with the District Department of the Environment
• Representatives from the pest management industry who will share the latest industry approaches  

In March 2009 the first DOH bedbug summit attracted over 100 attendees. In addition to the summit, DOH regularly conducts outreach and training on the identification and reduction of bed bugs to in-home health care providers, social workers, property managers, and government agencies that provide housing and in-home services to District residents.  Through education and increased communication, DOH hopes to promote a unified method to address and prevent a further resurgence of bed bugs that other cities are currently dealing with.

There are still spots available for those interested in attending; all registrations for the original date will be honored on the new date.  To register, contact Gerard Brown at [email protected] or (202) 535-2636 by December 1, 2010. For more information or to report a suspected case of bed bugs, call the DOH Rodent and Vector Control Division at (202) 535-1954 or visit www.doh.dc.gov.