Hepatitis claims 18 lives in Gujarat

Modasa (Gujarat), Feb 18 (ANI): At least 18 people died in Gujarat due to hepatitis in five days, officials said on Tuesday.

All the deaths attributed to hepatitis-B virus took place in Sabarkantha district's Modasa revenue sub division.

Officials said 18 people died out of at least 54 cases reported till Monday.

"The cases and death toll both are rising. We deputed a team from the local medical civil hospital college in Ahmedabad. We reviewed the situation on the similar way. We motivated he government and have written officially to the Health Minister to depute the team immediately,' said Sudhir Gandhi, deputy director (epidemic) commissionerate of the state's health services.

Relatives of patients said the sudden increase in hepatitis could be due to unhygienic conditions.

"The negligence of private hospitals and carelessness of doctors have created this situation. The filthy and unhygienic conditions in surrounding areas and roads are responsible which nobody takes care of. If they control this situation, then this problem can be solved," said Nitin Patel, whose sister is infected with hepatitis B virus.

The condition of many patients in the civil hospitals is reported to be critical.

A police complaint has been lodged against seven medical practitioners in Modasa, Dhansura, and Meghraj under various provisions.

The heath authorities have circulated 30,000 pamphlets and a public awareness campaign is on to create awareness on hepatitis. ANI)