A GLASGOW school should have been closed during a bedbug infestation as experts warn a recurrence of the outbreak is 'highly likely'.

Experts from the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS) have raised concerns about the possibility of the creatures being reintroduced to St Bride's Primary in Strathbungo.

Earlier this week it was revealed washing machines had been ordered to help boil clean children's clothes following a lengthy battle with an outbreak at the school.

READ MORE: Glasgow's St Bride's Primary forced to install washing machines to end bedbug nightmare

One teacher was financially compensated following the infestation, with others also bitten by the bugs.

Members of REHIS have warned bedbugs are becoming 'increasingly common' and a return of the creatures to the school would be 'very possible' if pupils and staff return from infested homes.

They have now called for homes to be surveyed.

Glasgow Times:

Tom Bell, chief executive of REHIS, added: "This scenario is highly likely. They can be carried from the home into a school on clothes and bedding.

"Homes should also be appropriately treated – this can be especially difficult if houses are overcrowded as there are likely to be many personal possessions and more furniture making effective application of insecticide difficult to achieve.

"Reluctance by an occupier to admit that their house may be infested along with practical difficulties associated with gaining access are two of many obstacles to efficient and effective control in homes.

READ MORE:  Bedbug outbreak at Glasgow's St Bride's Primary leads to calls for community support

Following the discovery that pest controllers have been into St Bride's five times to chemically treat the premises, experts have said a the school should have been closed whilst the bedbugs were eradicated.

Ian Tasker, of Scottish Hazards, said they were worried about the council's legal duty to provide a safe and healthy environment.

He added: "Ideally the school would have been closed to ensure the best results. Because they've not done that, the children could be exposed.

Glasgow Times:

"Surely they had a contingency in place to allow children to continue their education uninterrupted elsewhere.

"They have done what they need to do for public awareness, but the situation could have been sorted much quicker and effectively if they had closed the school."

However, a spokeswoman for the Health and Safety Executive said the council should continue with its current approach, 'dealing with with this matter sensitively' and 'taking an integrated approach'.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon and St Bride's Primary School parents react to bedbug fight revelation

She added: "Whilst the current infestations are clearly distressing for all those involved, it is evident that steps are being taken to address the issue."

A council spokesman reiterated there is no current risk to health.

He added: "All steps to resolve this issue were taken in consultation with local trade unions and following advice from environmental health experts.

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“Closing the school would not have been appropriate, or effective. There have been no cases in the last six months.”