( CNN ) -- While following their favorite soccer teams in preparation for the 2014 World Cup , fans in Brazil may have glimpsed one of the largest public health campaigns ever organized by the country 's Ministry of Health . `` Dengue Mata '' or `` Dengue Kills '' is the key message being pushed in print materials and TV commercials . Brazilian health officials hope the campaign will encourage local citizens to clean up areas around their homes to reduce mosquito breeding grounds , and that doing so will reduce the risk of the mosquito-transmitted virus that causes dengue fever . The 2014 World Cup host country has reported the most cases of dengue in South America over the past 30 years , including four deaths attributable to the disease in January and February . Because there is no vaccine or specific treatment , prevention is paramount . 'Indescribable , crazy pain ' : Surviving dengue fever . Risks for U.S. travelers . `` It 's difficult for anyone to put any number on the level of risk , '' said Lt. Cmdr . Tyler Sharp , an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 's dengue branch in San Juan , Puerto Rico . `` The important thing to remember is that all regions of Brazil every day , every week and every year have transmission ( of dengue ) . '' Most dengue virus infections occur in and around homes , Sharp said , so tourists in air-conditioned hotels have a relatively low risk of infection . Travelers staying with friends and relatives in their homes are at a higher risk . Could the virus make it back to U.S. soil ? Sharp said it would be a rare event , but the virus could be spread from an infected traveler to any state with a mosquito presence . Dengue fever is not unheard of in the United States . In 2013 , 137 cases were reported in Florida . Of those cases , 114 involved a person who had traveled to a dengue endemic country ( including Brazil ) in the two weeks before onset , according to the Florida Department of Health . U.S. hospitalizations for dengue fever tripled in seven years . Dengue symptoms include high fever , severe headaches , pain behind the eyes , muscle and joint pain , nausea , vomiting and swollen glands . It is potentially fatal because of fluid accumulation , respiratory distress , severe bleeding or organ impairment . Individuals with diabetes , obesity , cardiovascular disease or asthma have a higher risk of developing a more severe illness if infected . People who are older or have had previous exposure to one of the four dengue viruses are also more at risk . For protection , the CDC recommends using a bug repellent at dawn and dusk that includes either DEET , picaridin , oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535 as the active ingredient . Sunscreen should be applied first and insect-repellent second . Wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and sleeping in screened or air-conditioned rooms are other strategies for avoiding infection . Dengue at the World Cup . An analysis published in Lancet Infectious Diseases in May looked at the climate forecast for dengue fever during the 2014 World Cup . Researchers analyzed past behavior of the virus to determine high-risk areas , which include the cities of Recife , Fortaleza and Natal , where many countries , including the United States , have matches . Even though three of the tournament cities pose a higher risk , according to the Brazilian Federal Government , the World Cup falls during a time of year that typically sees a 74 % reduction in dengue fever cases across the country . `` The one thing in our favor is that it is winter in Brazil , '' Sharp said . The risk of infection and outbreak are based on several factors , including the number of mosquitoes ( based on climate and presence of standing water needed for breeding ) and a susceptible population . The Pan American Health Organization says inadequate sewage disposal and water supply issues in residential areas are part of the reason Brazil has a heightened dengue risk . Unplanned city growth in the country is also increasing the spread of the disease . Thousands hit by Brazil outbreak of dengue . Brazil travelers should also protect themselves against hepatitis A and B , yellow fever , typhoid , meningitis , malaria , rabies and diarrhea , the CDC says . 5 ways to stay healthy while traveling abroad . Mosquito-borne virus chikungunya worries CDC .
Brazil has reported the most cases of dengue fever in South America over last 30 years . High - risk cities are Recife , Fortaleza and Natal , they concluded . Many U.S. dengue cases involve travel to a dengue - endemic country . Group A and B , yellow fever , typhoid and malaria are also concerns during World Wars .