An increase in the incidence of chikungunya has been reported in certain pockets in the Ratnapura district and the Epidemiology Unit of the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has taken precautionary measures to prevent an epidemic, the chief government epidemiologist Dr. Nihal Abeysingha said yesterday. "We have found seven chikungunya cases out of 14 samples tested in Eratna in the Ratnapura district. The patients have been treated at the OPD and there is no cause for panic as the disease is not life-threatening,' he said. Attributing the new cases to the intermittent rains experienced in the region during the last few weeks, Dr. Abeysingha maintained that as long as mosquitoes are around vector-borne diseases could not be eradicated. There were cases of vector-borne diseases reported from all parts of the country round the year. Last week there were cases of dengue fever from Matale and Nuwara Eliya and chikungunya from Pimbura and Kuruwita, Dr. Abeysingha said. What is important is the vigilance of the public. They must not create an environment for mosquitoes to breed and keep their surroundings clean and tidy, he stressed.