A US Navy sailor required medical evacuation after being attacked by a monkey while en route to the Strait of Hormuz, military officials have confirmed.
The unnamed sailor, assigned to the minesweeper USS Chief, was scratched by a monkey during shore leave in Phuket, Thailand. He was later evacuated to the Chief's forward base in Sasebo, Japan, for treatment.
The US Navy stated that the sailor is in stable condition and the mission has not been delayed. A spokesman said: 'The sailor received medical care and was transferred back to Japan for further care. There were no operational impacts or delays to Chief.'
The incident highlights unforeseen risks faced by personnel outside combat zones. Medical guidance notes that macaques can transmit the Herpes B virus, requiring immediate attention after an attack.
The USS Chief, an Avenger-class mine countermeasures vessel, was heading to the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz. The US continues to enforce a blockade of Iranian ports amid ongoing peace negotiations.
