A specialist Army team and medical personnel have been parachuted on to the British overseas territory Tristan da Cunha with medical aid and equipment as fears over the deadly hantavirus soar.
The UK Health Security Agency confirmed on Friday that a British national disembarked from the virus-infected cruise ship MV Hondius on to the island, where they live, with a suspected case of hantavirus. Six paratroopers, an RAF consultant and Army nurse from 16 Air Assault Brigade parachuted, while oxygen supplies and medical aid was dropped on to the remote island, which is normally only accessible by boat. The RAF A400M transport aircraft flew from RAF Brize Norton to Ascension Island, supported by an RAF Voyager, before heading to Tristan da Cunha. The Ministry of Defence said it was the first time medical personnel had been parachuted in to provide humanitarian support. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the safety of “all members of the British family” is the top priority.
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