Pollen aplenty and sunlit poppies – readers' best photographs
'The Calanais standing stones at sunset.' Photograph: Barry Thomas
'More than just structures, the cabanons of the Camargue are witnesses to a rich history, closely linked to the traditional life of this wild land. Their distinctive architecture is designed to withstand the mistral wind and blend harmoniously into the unique landscape of ponds and marshes.' Photograph: Maxime Varinard
'This is the Serra da Bocaina region, halfway between São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. It's one of the last well-preserved remnants of the Brazilian Atlantic Forest, which is urgently in need of protection. This was taken using a drone.' Photograph: Roberto Newton Carneiro
'While waiting for the ferry to take us to the Out Skerries, I spotted this pile of colourful items stored by the local fishers. I thought it probably wouldn't look out of place as an 'installation' in an art gallery.' Photograph: Lynne Falconer
'A pollen-dusted hoverfly feeding on an olive flower during a hot summer day.' Photograph: John Cavanagh
'Saroj Patel's Flowers of the Earth installation transformed Rotherham Minster into a vibrant garden, where each flower contributes to the flourishing of a unified, colourful and harmonious space. It was part of the WOW (Women of the World) Rotherham Festival 2025.' Photograph: Tim Dennell
'I came across these tall trees during a walk near the Salt Lake. They were dominating the skyline and had to take a picture of this majestic view.' Photograph: Sofoulis Iacovou
'I saw this honey bee drone on an early morning walk in the Hamiltonhill claypits local nature reserve. The bee was busy warming up in the sun, but kindly stayed still for just enough time for me to take the photos required for this focus-stacked portrait.' Photograph: James Feehan
'A taxi driver's morning ritual in the mirror.' Photograph: Sachin Kr
'A fallow deer fawn sticking his tongue out as I try to photograph him.' Photograph: Ursula Armstrong
'This is a macro closeup shot of the back of an underwater lettuce leaf slug ( Elysia Crispata ) taken 60ft down.' Photograph: Ian Kay
'Pruning the azaleas at the Suncheonman national garden. The next day it rained, and the grass turned from brown to green.' Photograph: Phil Williamson
'An exquisite rosemary beetle on my neighbour's lavender. The colours, the light and the subject all scream summer in the countryside, yet we live in north London.' Photograph: Mark Leveson
'This was taken from a cruise ship. I was on deck and heard some shouting from sea level, looked over and there was a lady right below me, who had rowed out into the middle of the bay to sell drinks to passengers. It was a case of right moment, right camera round my neck.'
Photograph: Andy Dixon
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The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Health warning as chikungunya cases detected among returning travellers
Holiday makers have been urged to take precautions against mosquito bites while abroad amid a rise in cases of the chikungunya virus among travellers returning to Britain. Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites, the symptoms of which include a sudden fever and joint pain. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the UK, all of which were linked to travel from Brazil. According to UKHSA, most people recover within two weeks, although the joint pain can last for months or even years in some cases. Serious complications are not common, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The latest travel-associated infections report from UKHSA shows there were 73 cases of chikungunya reported between January and June 2025, compared to 27 cases for the same period last year. The majority were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, primarily in London. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya, as the two species of mosquito that transmit the disease are not established in the UK, UKHSA said. The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, specifically southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. However, this year there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. 'While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. 'Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.' Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. Meanwhile, the first UK cases of oropouche virus, which is spread by midge bites, have been detected by UKHSA. The three cases were all associated with travel to Brazil. The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. However, in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. The UKHSA report also shows a rise in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases in the first half of the year compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked with travel to India and Ethiopia. There was also a 67 per cent decrease in the number of dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June, and there were just four cases of zika virus during the period, down from nine in 2024.
The Independent
2 days ago
- The Independent
Officials urge caution on mosquito bites abroad amid rise in chikungunya cases
Health officials have urged people to take precautions against mosquito bites while on holiday amid a rise in cases of chikungunya among travellers returning from abroad. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has also detected the first cases of the emerging disease oropouche virus in the UK, all of which were linked to travel from Brazil. Chikungunya is a virus spread by mosquito bites, the symptoms of which include a sudden fever and joint pain. According to UKHSA, most people recover within two weeks, although the joint pain can last for months or even years in some cases. Serious complications are not common, but in rare cases the disease can be fatal, particularly in very young or older people, or those with underlying health conditions. The latest travel-associated infections report from UKHSA shows there were 73 cases of chikungunya reported between January and June 2025, compared to 27 cases for the same period last year. The majority were linked to travel to Sri Lanka, India and Mauritius. All cases were reported in England, primarily in London. There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya, as the two species of mosquito that transmit the disease are not established in the UK, UKHSA said. The illness mainly occurs in Africa and Asia, specifically southern Asia, although cases have been reported in Europe and parts of North America. However, this year there have been outbreaks in the Americas and Asia, with surges in China and the Indian Ocean islands of Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritius. Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: 'Chikungunya can be a nasty disease and we're seeing a worrying increase in cases among travellers returning to the UK. 'While this mosquito-borne infection is rarely fatal, it can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully symptoms usually improve within a few weeks, but joint pain may last for months or longer. 'It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. 'Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk.' Two chikungunya vaccines are approved for use in the UK and are available to buy after an assessment at a private travel clinic. Meanwhile, the first UK cases of oropouche virus, which is spread by midge bites, have been detected by UKHSA. The three cases were all associated with travel to Brazil. The flu-like illness can cause a fever, headaches, joint pain, muscle pain, chills, nausea and vomiting. Officials urged anyone who becomes unwell with these symptoms after travel to affected areas, including parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean, to seek urgent medical advice. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), before late 2023, oropouche virus was mostly reported near the Amazon rainforest area. However, in 2024, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba, Guyana, Peru and the Dominican Republic reported locally transmitted cases of the disease. The UKHSA report also shows a rise in travel-associated cholera cases in the UK, with eight cases in the first half of the year compared to just one in 2024. Most cases were linked with travel to India and Ethiopia. There was also a 67% decrease in the number of dengue cases reported in England, Wales and Northern Ireland from January to June, and there were just four cases of zika virus during the period, down from nine in 2024.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
New terror in the skies the airline industry is brushing under the carpet: 'I almost text my parents goodbye'
It was supposed to be a routine overnight flight across the Atlantic. Instead, passengers aboard a packed KLM Boeing 777 from São Paulo to Amsterdam on August 6 found themselves choking on smoke, gripped by panic, and preparing for the worst — all because of a portable phone charger that exploded in midair.
