TB scare scuppers Queen's ship tour

Blackleaf

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TB scare scuppers Queen's ship tour
8th July 2006


Helicopter carrier HMS Ocean is the Royal Navy's biggest warship until the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers are launched


The Queen has been forced to cancel a visit to Britain's biggest warship on Friday after two crewmen contracted tuberculosis.

HMS Ocean was due to sail into Greenwich, South-East London, to mark the 250th anniversary of the Marine Society, of which Her Majesty is patron.

Now, HMS Albion, a smaller 18,500-ton amphibious assault vessel, will host the Queen.

Two mechanical engineers from the engine room of HMS Ocean, a 22,500-ton helicopter carrier, have been treated in hospital after being diagnosed with TB, the Ministry of Defence confirmed last night.

One of them has since been discharged and will return to work soon.

The other is still detained in hospital at Portsmouth where HMS Ocean is docked.

Screening

The first engineer, in his early 20s, was struck down last month while the carrier was on exercise in Scotland.

The second was diagnosed four days ago while the ship was in Portsmouth.

A further 55 more seamen are awaiting the results of screening for the illness.

The MoD last night denied claims that the entire ship was to be placed under quarantine.



* Extra flights to Afghanistan have been laid on by the MOD to bring home 200 soldiers delayed for a fortnight's leave.

They had been stranded in the capital Kabul for three days when a 30-year-old Tri-Star aircraft broke down at RAF Brize Norton, Oxfordshire.

dailymail.co.uk