MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

RFA Gold Rover in mid Atlantic medical rescue operation

A viral outbreak depleted medical stores of the island's 271 residents

Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Gold Rover has been involved in the urgent re-supply of drugs and medical stores to the isolated volcanic island of Tristan Da Cunha after having been earlier re-tasked from her maritime Security and support duties in the Atlantic to provide assistance.

The stores were requested by the Tristan Government, following a viral outbreak earlier in the month. The virus had resulted in a number of the island's 271 residents suffering asthma type complications, which required medical treatment, and in a very few cases, hospitalisation. As a result of medical treatment, and the introduction of a number of public health measures by the Island's Administrator, Mr David Morley, the viral outbreak was brought under control. With the recent viral outbreak now well under control, there is no longer any cause for concern. The outbreak had, however, severely depleted medical supplies on the island, and with no opportunity to replenish stocks before the arrival of the next scheduled re-supply ship visit in late January 2008, a request for assistance in supplying medical supplies was made through the Foreign And Commonwealth Office, DfID and the Ministry of Defence. "It was rewarding to have been able to assist in the Island's time of need, and especially so in the light of the welcome and thanks we received when we arrived with the stores. All on board very much look forward to being able to return to visit Tristan Da Cunha at some time in the future" said Captain Paul Minter, Commanding Officer of RFA Gold Rover. The RFA has now departed the island to resume its previous task. Tristan Da Cunha is part of a small group of islands situated 1,800 miles west of Capetown, South Africa, and with the main island having an area of only some 38 Square miles. The group of islands once had strategic importance on the main trading route between Europe and the Indian Ocean, but with the opening of the Suez Canal it is now very isolated. The island has no airstrip and the only re-supply is by scheduled shipping, the next of which was not due until late January. (RN)