U.S. Sailor Medically Evacuated After Monkey Scratch in Thailand

A U.S. Navy electronics technician aboard the USS Chief was scratched by a macaque during shore leave in Phuket, Thailand. He was flown to the ship’s forward base in Sasebo, Japan, for medical treatment, and the mine‐clearing mission continued on schedule. The Chief and its sister ship, the USS Pioneer, were dispatched in mid-April to sweep Iranian mines that have effectively closed about 20% of the world’s oil supply route through the Strait of Hormuz. The episode highlights how even noncombat hazards can threaten naval operations. U.S. military officials say crews must prepare for every contingency. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control warns macaques can carry the Herpes B virus, so prompt medical care is crucial.

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