Navy ship under quarantine after two months, 25 sailors and Marines still infected with rare illness

The Whidbey Island-class amphibious dock landing ship USS Fort McHenry (LSD 43) transits the Strait of Hormuz. Fort McHenry is part of the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations in support of naval operations to ensure maritime stability and security in the central region, connecting the Mediterranean and the Pacific through the western Indian Ocean and three strategic choke points. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Chris Roys/Released)

Several Florida-based Sailors and Marines who serve aboard the USS Fort McHenry have been diagnosed with an odd illness that has symptoms mimicking mumps.

The US Navy confirmed that 25 Sailors and Marines have come down with the sickness, between the dates of December 22 and March 9.

Several Marines who served on board were infected as well, and all ill personnel have been quarantined.

To prevent further spreading, the remaining crew have been given booster shots and the ship has been scrubbed down.

According to WOKV, the disease was later discovered to be parotitis, which is not to be confused with whatever makes perfectly sane people -known as “Parrot Heads”- like the music of Jimmy Buffet.

A Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship, the USS Fort McHenry is based out of Mayport, FL, and was commissioned in 1987. She can hold a large number of personnel, ferry helicopters and can even accommodate Landing Craft Air Cushion (LCAC) hovercrafts.

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