Bedbug infestation closes offices in Iqaluit's Grinnell Place

The Government of Nunavut offices at Iqaluit's Grinnell Place have been closed for the second time this month due to a bedbug infestation.

The Department of Family Services offices at Building 613, were initiallyclosedfrom Oct. 7 to 11 to eradicate the bedbugs. The building reopened on Tuesday only to be shut down again on the same day when another bedbug was discovered.

The building is also home tohousing units operated by Northern Property. It is unclear if those units have been affected by the bugs.

"I know when a lot of people hear about this there's a little bit of a creepy factor," admits Kris Mullaly, a spokesperson for theDepartment of Community and Government Services.

"I don't think there's a cause for alarm."

Mullaly adds the bedbugs were spotted early by Family Services staff and the procedures for closing and cleaning the site have been diligently followed.

The bedbugs were found in office furniture says Mullaly,who adds that they have allbeen vacuumed and cleaned.

"People who have been affected have been contacted by FamilyServices," says Mullaly.

Staff working in the office have been advised on how to clean their personal belongings by their supervisors,he adds.

To date, there are no reports of the infestation spreading to other sites in the city.

The plan is to re-open the offices on Oct. 17, barring any new discoveries of bedbugs.

While the office is closed, the public is asked to use the Family Service dispatch line at 867-979-5650.

CBC contacted Northern Property about the residential units in the building, the company has not yet responded to our request.