Growing numbers of patients with tropical diseases are being treated in British hospitals, according to figures published yesterday.
These included 541 cases of dengue fever identified from travellers returning from overseas last year, according to Public Health England.
This represented a 58% increase on 2012.
Some 24 travellers were also diagnosed with chikungunya, a disease usually acquired in India and south-east Asia.
This compared with 15 cases in 2012.
Public Health England warned that the disease is now prevalent in the Caribbean and four of last year’s patients were infected in that reason.
Both diseases are transmitted by mosquitoes.
Dr Jane Jones, from Public Health England, said: “Dengue fever and chikungunya are unpleasant viral illnesses that are transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes.
"As there is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against dengue fever or chikungunya, prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites particularly around dusk and dawn when the day biting mosquitoes are most active."
Dr Vanessa Field, of the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said travellers should ensure they see a GP at least six weeks before their journey.
He said: "If a traveller develops symptoms such as fever, rash or joint pain within two weeks of returning from a foreign trip, they should seek medical advice from their GP."
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