A rising number of cases, advice to self-isolate — it is all starting to sound eerily familiar. But monkeypox, though potentially dangerous and unsightly, is not yet Covid-19 in March 2020.
The UK has 20 confirmed cases, though this figure is expected to rise. Professor Kevin Fenton, the capital’s director of public health, has urged people to watch out for “unusual rashes or lesions” and to contact NHS 111 before going to a hospital, GP surgery or other health setting.
Cases in Britain and Europe are being seen largely among gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, which Professor Fenton says suggests transmission is taking place within sexual networks. He is therefore asking men from these communities “to be particularly alert to the symptoms and to seek help immediately”.
For most people, monkeypox is a mild disease that goes away without treatment within two to four weeks and a version of the smallpox vaccine is available for those in high-risk categories. There is never a right time to panic, so now is an opportunity to instead remain vigilant and take sensible precautions.
Back in bloom
The world’s most prestigious horticultural event is back. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns to its traditional slot for the first time since 2019 and — notwithstanding the weather — will mark the start of the summer season in the capital.
All the movers and shakers, including royalty, will be in attendance (hence the nickname Chelsea Power Show. This year’s themes include “planet-friendly gardening” and mental health, as well as a floral portrait of the Queen to mark her Platinum Jubilee.
After two years in the cold, London is coming back into bloom.
