Scientists warn of dengue fever outbreak in Brazil during World Cup
Researchers have developed an "early warning system" to alert authorities of a dengue outbreak in three of the 12 World Cup host cities in Brazil.
In an analysis published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases, scientists say the risk is high enough to warrant a high-alert warning in Natal, Fortaleza and Recife.
England could play in Recife on 29 June if they come top of their group.
Dr Rachel Lowe from the Catalan Institute of Climate Sciences in Barcelona, Spain, who led the research, said: "Recent concerns about dengue fever in Brazil during the World Cup have made dramatic headlines, but these estimates have been based solely on averages of past dengue cases.
"The possibility of a large dengue fever outbreak during the World Cup, capable of infecting visitors and spreading dengue back to their country of origin, depends on a combination of many factors, including large numbers of mosquitoes, a susceptible population, and a high rate of mosquito-human contact."
According to the BBC, Brazil saw more cases of dengue fever than anywhere else in the world between 2000 and 2013, when more than seven million cases were reported.
The viral infection is transmitted between humans by mosquitoes and can be deadly.
Business Standard reports that the risk is lower in the southern and central areas of Brasilia, Cuiaba, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Sao Paulo. Scientists say the dengue risk could exceed medium levels in Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Salvador and Manaus.
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