Qantas flight grounded after bedbug outbreak on Perth-Rome route

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 22:31 · Archive

A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded after passengers reported bedbug bites during a flight from Perth to Rome.

A Qantas Boeing 787 Dreamliner was grounded on Saturday after an outbreak of bedbugs was detected on the aircraft. Passengers aboard flight QF5 from Perth to Rome on 9 October had reported being bitten by bugs during the nearly 17-hour journey. They were given antihistamines on medical advice to ease the itching, but the plane's supplies ran out.

Qantas subsequently cancelled the return flight from Rome to Perth scheduled for Saturday, taking the aircraft out of service for a deep clean and fumigation. A Qantas spokesperson said: 'We sincerely apologise to customers for the cancellation of Saturday's Rome to Perth service, which allowed our engineers and maintenance teams to carry out a deep clean of the aircraft after an issue was identified on a small number of economy seats.'

All affected customers were provided with accommodation and rebooked on alternative flights within 48 hours of their original departure. Bedbugs are small, wingless parasites that feed on human blood and can spread through clothing and personal belongings. Their bites can cause itching and swelling but do not usually cause more serious health problems, though they are notoriously difficult and expensive to treat.

How it is being reported

• Bed bug horror aboard Qantas flight as passengers are bitten mid-air before travellers are stranded for daysA Qantas flight has been grounded following a bed bug outbreak, leaving furious passengers stranded for days.Daily Mail · 12 Oct, 22:09
• Qantas flight grounded after bedbug outbreakThe flight from Italy to Australia was cancelled after passengers on the plane's previous journey complained of bug bites.BBC News · 12 Oct, 22:01

In this story: Qantas · Perth · Rome · Australia

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