Besides failure of municipal corporations to prevent mosquito breeding in the national Capital, some other factors that led to increase in dengue and chikungunuya cases included regular rain, humid and damp atmosphere, construction sites, poor drainage system and water logging.
Dr SK Sharma, who heads the Internal Medicine department at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) said, "Rains have upped the cases of vector-borne diseases. The changes in climatic condition, sultry weather, and poor drainage system have also contributed to the situation. There is nothing to panic as chikungunya is not a life-threatening disease like dengue."
Also, construction sites have added safe place for the breeding of aedes aegypti, a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, and yellow fever viruses, and other diseases.
Dr AC Dhariwal, Director, National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP), said stagnant water at construction sites are some of the causes of mosquito breeding in this season. Due to rain, water logging at various locations in Delhi also contributed to spike in the viral cases in the coming days, said Dr Dhariwal.
"Previously, chikumgyunya was found in South India. This year, the disease has seen an upsurge in Delhi. Because of susceptible population and lots of humidity in July and August, it acquired the shape of epidemic," Dr Dhariwal told The Pioneer.
More vector cases are found in areas with mosquito genic conditions such as slums which have poor drainage, while most of the positive reports have also been traced in South Delhi, said NVBDCP Director.
A senior doctor criticised the Government and civic agencies for their repeated failure in preventing mosquito breeding in the city.
Dr KK Aggarwal, Secretary General IMA, said incidence of dengue and chikungunya will continue to increase in next month as peak time is from September mid to October, therefore people should not panic. "It is essential to increase awareness about its prevention and timely steps towards disease management and health experts should give proper counselling to the patients."