The World Health Organization said in its latest report the disease - which in its severest form is a leading cause of serious illness and death among children in some Asian and Latin American countries - is endemic in more than 100 countries.
Cases of dengue fever have risen up to 1000 per cent in some parts of Brazil and have also risen substantially in Asia and Africa. The report said it estimates there may be 50 million to 100 million dengue fever cases worldwide every year.
The infection, which causes flu-like illness and occasionally develops into a potentially lethal complication called haemorrhagic dengue, is transmitted to humans by infected mosquitoes.
There is no specific treatment, but early detection and access to proper medical care lowers fatality rates below 1 percent. The only way to prevent the transmission of the dengue fever virus is to control mosquitoes that carry the disease.
"Not only is the number of cases increasing as the disease spreads to new areas, but explosive outbreaks are occurring," the report said, adding the threat of a possible outbreak of dengue fever exists in Europe.
The only way to protect yourself from mosquito bites is by using insect repellents containing DEET and clothing spray containing EX4 during the daytime as well as at night.
All are available from The Travel Clinic Ltd, Cambridge and Ipswich
Phone 01223 367362 for appointments