Holidaymakers heading to France, Spain, Italy or Greece warned over fatal disease spread by mosquitos

Tourists from the UK heading to popular destinations in Europe including France, Spain, Italy and Greece are being warned to take care due to the spread of a potentially fatal disease. Dengue fever is a potentially lethal infection spread by mosquitoes, and was called ‘bone break fever’ in the 1700s due to the severe pain it causes in muscles and joints.

Cases in Europe are spiking as mosquitoes which carry the disease move from tropical spots to European places which are seeing increased temperatures due to climate change. France has reported 600 more cases of dengue fever since last month as health experts issue warnings over the tropical disease.

Speaking on BBC's Morning Live, Dr Punam Krishan said: "Dengue fever is a viral infection that you can catch from mosquitoes – mosquitoes pass it on to people. Traditional hot spots for dengue fever have been tropical places – you’re thinking south-west Asia, Africa, the Caribbean. However, the Asian Tiger Mosquito have moved closer to home in Europe, which is where we have been seeing cases rising.

"The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control have issued a new map showing hot spots for the Asian Tiger Mosquito. These are places which are popular destinations for holidaymakers from the UK, like Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Greece and Croatia.

"They have moved in, we think because of climate change The warmer climate is much more favourable to these mosquitoes. It is good to be aware if you are making a trip to these countries this summer.

"This Asian Tiger Mosquito hasn’t made its way over to the UK yet, which is good. A lot of the cases that have been reported have been people travelling abroad and they have brought it in.

"The risk of getting dengue fever is still very low. If you are going to one of these countries but also have an appointment to give blood, check the Give Blood website as certain places in Europe that have Dengue fever are considered to be a risk factor."

Dengue does not always cause symptoms immediately. Some dengue symptoms are similar to flu, according to the NHS.

They include:

• a high temperature

• a severe headache

• pain behind your eyes

• muscle and joint pain

• feeling or being sick

• swollen glands

• a blotchy rash made up of flat or slightly raised spots – this can affect large areas of your body

Severe dengue

Some people get a more severe type of dengue a few days after they first started feeling ill, but this is rare. You may start to feel better with your temperature returning to normal, but about 24 to 48 hours later you may get more serious symptoms.

Symptoms of severe dengue include:

• severe tummy pain

• repeatedly being sick

• fast breathing

• bleeding gums or nose

• extreme tiredness (fatigue)

• being unable to relax (restlessness)

• blood in your vomit or poo