By Andrew Gregory From Daily Mirror UK

The number of people affected by disease from the insect has rocketed more than 12-fold in the space of one year

Soaring numbers of Brits are catching a potentially deadly disease from mosquitos, new figures reveal.

There were 295 cases of chikungunya in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2014 compared to just 24 in 2013, Public Health England (PHE) said.

The huge rise is believed to have been sparked by an unprecedented outbreak of the virus in the Caribbean, where many Brits flock for holidays.

Hundreds of thousands in the area have been hit by the illness, which leaves victims bedridden for days.

Some have reported feeling the effects for months or years after contracting the bug, and more vulnerable victims have died.

Deadly: The mosquito carries the chikungunya bug which can be fatal

Chikungunya, which is contracted through mosquito bites, causes a sudden onset of fever and agonising joint pain, particularly affecting the hands, wrists, ankles and feet.

Other symptoms include muscle pain, headache, nausea, fatigue and a rash.

Most patients make a full recovery, but in some cases joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months, or even years.

PHE said the majority of Brits who had caught the illness had done so on trips to the Caribbean and South America as a result of a large outbreak that started in the Caribbean in December 2013.

Chikungunya is also found in parts of Asia and Africa but does not occur in the UK.

There were just 15 cases in 2012, according to PHE.

Dr Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel and migrant health at PHE, said: “Chikungunya is an unpleasant viral illness that can cause fever and joint pains, which in some patients may persist for a prolonged period.

Will you be taking extra precautions against mosquito bites?

“Prevention relies on avoiding mosquito bites particularly around dusk and dawn when day biting mosquitoes are most active, as there is no specific preventive medicine or vaccination against chikungunya.”

Dr Dipti Patel, joint director at the National Travel Health Network and Centre, said: “We strongly recommend travellers seek pre-travel advice from their GP, a specialist travel clinic or pharmacy at least six to eight weeks before they travel.

“To minimise the risk of mosquito bites it is advisable to wear appropriate clothing to cover up, such as long sleeve tops and trousers, and to use insect repellents.

“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.”

IMAGE: Getty mosquito Sucker: A mosquito begins to dine on a human hand

For more on this story go to: http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/deadly-mosquito-infecting-soaring-numbers-5371975