BRANDENBURG, KY. (WDRB) -- Bed bugs have been found in two Meade County schools -- one of them actually on a student. But the district says it's not the schools' fault.
Parent Anna Medley says the bed bugs were, "On the students, in a folder, in the school system, it's just gross." Another parent, Michelle Elmore says, "I've heard it's kind of hard even for the exterminators to get rid of them, so I hope it's not a problem for me."
A note from the schools went home to parents in Meade County. Elmore and Medley both have children attending Meade County High School, where the letter says a bed bug was found on a student, in their belongings, and in one classroom. A bed bug was also found at Stuart Pepper Middle School.
Medley's reaction: "Shock, I'm shocked that it's in the school system, shocked that the problem is that bad."
Meade County school leaders talked to WDRB News about this issue over the phone, but refused to go on camera, instead providing the same letter they sent home to parents.
School leaders say the infestation is not in their schools -- rather it's been isolated to a family who recently discovered them in their home. The district brought in an exterminator Thursday, and plans to bring in a bed bug detecting dog to sweep the schools again next week.
They've also called the local health department.
Wendy Keown, Director of School Health & Epidemiology with the Lincoln Trail District Health Department, says, "Bed bugs do not have any disease associated with them. They do not discriminate, you can get them anywhere, from movie theaters to five star hotels."
Experts say they are increasingly being found in schools. Keown says, "Generally they are in very dark places underneath headboards, mattresses, or chairs."
Satisfied with the district's actions, Elmore and Medley say it's time to start looking over the nooks and crannies in their home. Elmore says, "I just tell them, don't share combs, don't wear anybody's clothes, don't wear, share jackets."
And Medley says, "I'm definitely going to check our house and make sure we don't have it in our home."
For more information on how to deal with bed bugs, click here.
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