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Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Warning signs to look out for as 'sloth virus' hits people in UK
Health officials have issued an urgent alert after 'sloth fever' - a tropical disease that can be fatal - was detected in Brits returning from one foreign country An urgent new health warning has been issued after a number of Brits were diagnosed with a tropical disease. 'Sloth fever' usually causes mild or moderate symptoms, however, for a few people it can be fatal. The alert was raised after the illness, also known as Oropouche virus (OROV), was diagnosed in three Brits who'd all recently returned from Brazil. Warning signs of 'sloth virus' have been detailed which include headache, joint pain and fever along with possible nausea, vomiting, and a rash. Other common symptoms include muscle aches and chills, feeling dizzy, sensitive to light or getting pain behind the eyes. The virus is known as 'sloth fever' due to it occurring in the species, but it's also prevalent in birds. The illness usually presents mild symptoms that disappear after a few days to a week, but occasionally the virus attacks the brain which can lead to serious and potentially life-threatening conditions such as meningitis or encephalitis. An estimated 4% of people infected will develop neurological conditions. The, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) released new figures on August 14 which revealed there have been three confirmed cases of the virus in Britain. All those with the virus had recently returned from travelling abroad to Brazil. There have been no fatal cases in the UK, but in Brazil so far this year five deaths have been recorded for 'sloth virus'. The tropical infection is spread via mosquitos and midges - and it can also be sexually transmitted, though no confirmed reports of sexual transmission are recorded. There is no cure or vaccine for the disease which is also understood to be risky for pregnant women with reported neurological complications and foetal complications being currently under investigation. The recent warning from officials cautioned pregnant women travelling to Central and South America - as it's understood that the virus has been potentially linked to miscarriage. The UKHSA statement said: 'If you're pregnant and considering travel to affected areas, it is important to discuss this with your GP or travel clinic before you go. 'While we are still learning about the risks of OROV during pregnancy, the potential for mother-to-child transmission—and impact on the foetus—means caution is necessary.' Up to 70 percent of patients experience a recurrence of the disease after the initial infection as the virus appears to present symptoms again in some people who were infected. Drinking plenty of fluids, resting and taking paracetamol appear to help alleviate discomfort. If travelling, wearing long-sleeved clothing and applying DEET type insect repellents can help ward off midges and mosquitos. Air conditioning, window screens or bedding nets can also help to keep you safe from bites This year (2025) so far has recorded over 12,000 confirmed cases of the virus, with most being in Brazil or other areas of South America - which has recorded 11,888 of that total. However, America and Canada have both reported one case of the 'sloth virus' recently too.
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
M&S filmed their Xmas ad in my village during the August heatwave.. the pub never looked so good, do you recognise it?
Scroll down to see the snap which has left eagle-eyed viewers in hysterics YULE LOVE IT M&S filmed their Xmas ad in my village during the August heatwave.. the pub never looked so good, do you recognise it? Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT may be the fourth heatwave in the UK - but it's already beginning to look a lot like Christmas in one village. While millions of Brits have been flooding to beaches to make the most out of the glorious sunshine, a leafy town in Hertfordshire has been turned into Winter Wonderland. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 One sleepy village has already been turned into Winter Wonderland Credit: instagram/@itschloegranger 4 Chloe Granger, a local resident, shared snaps of the festive makeover on TikTok Credit: instagram/@itschloegranger 4 According to Chloe, the popular supermarket M&S was filming their Christmas ad in her village - during the fourth heatwave of 2025 Credit: instagram/@itschloegranger According to the locals, Marks & Spencer is currently working on their much-anticipated Christmas ad, which last year featured TV comedy legend Dawn French. The retailer kicked off the festive season with the launch of the video through its social media channels at 9am last November. But while fans still have a while to wait to see the final masterpiece starring Aimee Lou, one local, Chloe Granger, recently shared snaps of her hometown following the festive makeover - so, do you recognise it? Outside the local pub, the popular supermarket had placed several Christmas trees and a huge, rich green garland upon the entrance. The whole street was also covered in fake snow - and the light sky indeed gave it that crispy winter morning feel. The rest of the picturesque buildings, she shared in the video, also featured a variety of ''cute'' decorations to fit the theme. ''Fake snow lining the streets! If only it actually looked like this in winter,'' chuckled Chloe who posts under the username @itschloegranger. After strolling down the local street, the resident said she was inspired by the decorations - despite it being one of the hottest weeks of the year. ''It looks so festive, walking around really got me in the mood for Christmas, even though this was happening in the middle of a heatwave. ''Can't wait to see the ad!'' M&S reveals SIX different Christmas food adverts featuring comedy legend and music star Chloe - who lives in Hatfield - also shared a hilarious snap where TikTok users could see people walking around topless and in shorts, which made for a rather bizarre contrast. ''It definitely took a sec for my brain to make sense of what I was seeing,'' she chuckled. Chloe added she was ''very ready for the festive season and cooler weather now''. The jaw-dropping transformation of the sleepy town has since taken the platform by storm, racking up close to 570k views in just one day. As almost 45k people gave it a like, more than 190 flooded to comments, where one said: ''It's making me crave winter so much.'' Another chuckled: ''I'd be saying you can use my house as long as i can keep the decorations you put up.'' A third was stunned, writing: ''It's actually mental how these photos make it look like a crispy winter morning at sunrise.'' Someone else chimed in: ''Imagine how hot any actors feel, having to walk down the street in winter clothes, when it's 30 degrees outside.''
Daily Mirror
2 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Keep your towels luxuriously soft and fluffy with expert's seven simple steps
There's nothing worse than stepping out of the bath or shower and drying yourself off with a stiff and scratchy towel Everyone relishes the sensation of enveloping themselves in a plush, fluffy towel after a soothing shower or bath. However, over time, towels can become abrasive and rigid, making this experience far less luxurious and more bothersome. Fortunately, you don't have to endure this with your towels, regardless of their age. Molly Freshwater, Founder of Secret Linen Store, has divulged her top expert advice for ensuring your bath towels remain sumptuously soft and fluffy throughout the year. How often to wash towels as some Brits admit to only doing it once a year Dust will stay off blinds and windowsills if wiped down with 1 common household item Less is more Her initial advice is to go easy on the detergent. High-quality bath towels should feel dense and lavish; however, due to this, the detergent can be more challenging to remove during rinse cycles than other materials, reports the Express. If you're using too much, it will build up over time and may result in your towels feeling hard and stiff. It's also crucial to use a gentle detergent, as towels are made from natural fibres like cotton. Harsh detergents can inflict permanent damage to these fibres. Detergent add-ins Another suggestion is to add a splash of vinegar to the wash. To soften towels, try adding 250ml of white vinegar to your wash alongside your regular laundry liquid. Simply pour the vinegar directly into the drum before loading your towels, and start the cycle as usual. The vinegar works by breaking down any detergent residue or mineral build-up in the fibres, which can leave towels feeling coarse. It helps to restore softness and absorbency without harsh chemicals, leaving your towels fresh and cosy. Don't fret about your towels smelling like vinegar - it will all be washed away, leaving just the scent of fresh, clean laundry. Keep it cool Temperature is also key to keeping towels soft. It can be tempting to put your laundry on hot to get them extra squeaky clean but this can actually make them stiff. Like harsh detergents, hot water can strip the natural fibres of their softness, leaving them rough and less absorbent. To keep them fresh and soft, Molly recommends washing your towels at a cooler temperature, between 30 and 40 degrees. Give them space Even if it is easier to just chuck all the towels in the same wash, this can actually make them crispy and won't get them properly clean. When there are too many towels in the machine, the detergent and fabric conditioner can't rinse out properly. For the best results, try washing your towels in smaller loads. This way, the detergent gets a chance to properly rinse out, leaving your towels feeling soft, fluffy, and ready to use after every wash. Keep it natural A tumble dryer can be your best friend when it comes to towels, but it could also be making them feel stiff and scratchy. For that perfectly soft feel, use a low heat setting and remove them while they're still slightly damp before hanging them up outside. Alternatively, harness the power of nature and hang them outside on a windy day. The wind acts as a natural agitator, keeping those fibres wonderfully soft. Give it a shake Want to keep your towels super soft and absorbent? Give them a good shake both before and after drying, whether they're going into the tumble dryer or onto the washing line. This simple step helps to loosen the fibres and encourages better airflow, leading to softer results. Once they're dry, another shake will prevent stiffness and maintain their beautiful fluffiness. Store them cleverly How you store your towels can make a big difference to their softness. Folding them too tightly or burying them under heavy stacks can flatten the fibres, making them feel stiff over time. To preserve their delightful softness and absorbency, store them loosely with enough space for air to circulate. This simple storage tip helps them maintain their fluffiness and keeps them feeling fresh for longer.
