British tourists in France warned as the disease ‘that kills 25 per cent’ hits 600 cases

British tourists have been warned after a disease that kills a QUARTER of sufferers reached 600 cases in France. France has reported another 600 cases of dengue fever, a potentially fatal infection spread by mosquitoes, since last month after health experts issued warnings about the tropical disease.

Most people with dengue recover without any lingering problems. The risk of death among people with severe dengue is 0.8 to 2.5 percent, and with adequate treatment it is less than 1 percent. However, those who develop significantly low blood pressure can have a mortality rate of up to 26 percent.

Public Health France announced today that almost 20 percent of the more than 2,800 cases were imported from Guadeloupe or Martinique. It comes as British holidaymakers prepare to fly to the European Union’s holiday hotspot for the Summer Olympics in July and August.

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Climate change is creating favorable conditions for the spread of the tiger mosquito, according to the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). ECDC Director Andrea Ammon said: “Europe is already seeing how climate change is creating more favorable conditions for invasive mosquitoes to spread into previously unaffected areas and infect more people with diseases such as dengue. Increased international travel from countries where dengue is endemic will also increase the risk of imported cases, and inevitably the risk of local outbreaks.”

Ms Ammon advises people to take “personal protection measures”, adding that “early detection of cases, timely surveillance, further research and awareness activities are of paramount importance in the areas of Europe most at risk”. Dengue fever is endemic in more than 100 countries. around the world, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO reports that more than six million cases and 7,000 deaths are reported each year, with cases more common in Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.