Arabic version: الجيش البريطاني ينشر الأطباء في ترستان دا كونا لمواجهة حالة فيروس هانتا

British Army medics have parachuted onto the remote island of Tristan da Cunha to assist a British national with suspected hantavirus. The man, who disembarked from the MV Hondius cruise ship on 14 April, reported symptoms two weeks after leaving the vessel, which has experienced a deadly outbreak of the virus. According to BBC News, he is currently in a stable condition while isolating on the island.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed that supplies, including oxygen, were dropped from an RAF A400M aircraft due to critical levels on the island, which has no airstrip and a population of just 221. The MV Hondius has since arrived in Tenerife, where arrangements are being made to repatriate over 100 passengers who were on board during the outbreak.

The hantavirus outbreak has resulted in three deaths, including two confirmed cases among passengers. The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that, in addition to the six confirmed cases, there are two suspected cases, including the British man on Tristan da Cunha. The two Britons with confirmed cases are currently receiving treatment in the Netherlands and South Africa.

This operation marks the first instance of the UK military parachuting in medical personnel for humanitarian support, according to the MoD. A team of six paratroopers, accompanied by two medical clinicians, undertook the challenging mission, which involved tandem jumps with an intensive care nurse and doctor.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasized the UK’s commitment to the safety of its overseas territories and nationals. Meanwhile, passengers from the MV Hondius who are not reporting symptoms are being monitored, and those returning to the UK will isolate at Arrowe Park Hospital for 45 days, with the risk to the general public deemed very low by the MoD.