This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/7126563.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Virus-hit island seeks urgent aid Virus-hit island seeks urgent aid
(about 1 hour later)
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 is being led by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
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. BBC world affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge said the islanders were 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.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.The South African Marine Rescue Co-ordination Centre was alerted first and informed British coastguards.
The volcanic island has no airstrip, making getting medicines there difficult.
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.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. Viruses have swept through the island before but Michael Swales, chairman of the Tristan da Cunha association, said he could not recall medicines becoming exhausted on previous occasions.
Isolated islands He said there was particular concern about the health of the elderly and the very young.
Isolated
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 about 60 sq miles (100 sq km) and the currency is the British pound. The main island is about 38 sq miles (98 sq km) and the currency is the British pound.
Have you been affected by this story? Are you an islander or do you have relatives living there? Send us your comments using the form below.Have you been affected by this story? Are you an islander or do you have relatives living there? Send us your comments using the form below.
Send your pictures of the island to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions Send your pictures of the island to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions
Name
 Name