Paratroopers deployed to remote island to help British national with suspected Hantavirus

Six paratroopers and two military medics from the 16th Air Assault Brigade jumped from a Royal Air Force A400M cargo plane to reach the island in the South Atlantic Ocean, part of the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha.

With a population of just 221, the island lacks an airstrip, and is normally accessible only by sea.

The rescued British citizen was aboard the cruise ship MV Hondius, which was affected by a hantavirus outbreak.

The vessel docked this morning i Tenerife, Canary Islands.

The man, a resident of Tristan da Cunha, disembarked on April 14 and began showing hantavirus symptoms - diarrhea and fever - two weeks later. He has been isolated and his condition is reported as stable.

Local medical services are typically staffed by only two professionals.

According to the Ministry of Defense in London, this is the first time the British Armed Forces has parachuted medical personnel to deliver humanitarian support.

The territory's government also reported the delivery of 3,3 tons of medical supplies for the local hospital.

"This extraordinary operation reflects our unwavering commitment to the people of our overseas territories and to British citizens wherever they are. The safety and wellbeing of all members of the British family is our absolute priority," commented the UK Foreign Secretary.

As it was previously reported, first passengers from the cruise ship MV Hondius, affected by a hantavirus outbreak, began disembarking this morning after the vessel docked at Granadilla port on the island of Tenerife,