Outbreak grounds Qantas flight after passengers bitten

Qantas cancelled a Rome-to-Perth return service after passengers reported bed bug bites on a Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight QF5 from Perth to Rome on October 9. Travelers complained to cabin crew and were given antihistamines until supplies ran out, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Qantas did not operate the return flight the following day, citing a “deep clean” of the aircraft. QF6 was cancelled and passengers were rebooked on alternative routes within 48 hours of the original departure times, with accommodation provided in the interim. A Qantas spokesperson said the outbreak affected a “small number” of seats in economy and apologized for Saturday’s cancellation. Bed-bug disinsections occur every 50 days as a precaution, and NSW Health says they are not considered a public health hazard.