Britons living in what is described as the remotest community in the world are seeking help after the outbreak of an acute virus.
Britons living in what is described as the remotest community in the world are seeking help after the outbreak of an acute virus.
Many of the 271 British citizens living on the volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha, in the south Atlantic, have developed severe breathing problems.
Many of the 271 British citizens living on the volcanic island of Tristan da Cunha, in the south Atlantic, have developed severe breathing problems.
They need urgent medical supplies which cannot be found on the island.
They need urgent medical supplies which cannot be found on the island.
An international operation to provide urgent help, co-ordinated by Cornwall's Falmouth Coastguard, has now begun.
An international operation to provide urgent help, co-ordinated by Cornwall's Falmouth Coastguard, has now begun.
BBC World affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said the islanders are being affected by what appears to be an outbreak of viral-inducted asthma which causes severe breathing problems.
Tristan da Cunha's one resident doctor, a South African, has issued an urgent appeal for medical supplies.
The South African Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre was alerted first and informed British coastguards.
However, merchant ships in the area are unlikely to have the necessary drugs on board and a coastguard spokesman said there were no British military vessels nearby at present.
Inquiries are also being made about any aircraft that could be used.
Isolated islands
Tristan da Cunha is situated 2,800 km west of Cape Town, South Africa, and is part of a small group of islands.
Tristan da Cunha is situated 2,800 km west of Cape Town, South Africa, and is part of a small group of islands.
It was at one time on the main trading route between Europe and the Indian Ocean, but the small community living there is now extremely isolated.
It was at one time on the main trading route between Europe and the Indian Ocean, but the small community living there is now extremely isolated.
The community of 275 people describe themselves as living in the world's most isolated settlement.
The community of 275 people describe themselves as living in the world's most isolated settlement.
The island is famous for a mass evacuation to Southampton in the 1960s after a volcano erupted.
The island is famous for a mass evacuation to Southampton in the 1960s after a volcano erupted.
It is 98 sq km and the currency is the British pound.
It is 98 sq km and the currency is the British pound.
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