Hepatitis death toll rises to 53 in Gujarat

Agencies

Ahmedabad: The hepatitis outbreak in Sabarkantha district claimed four more lives on Friday, taking the toll to 53 since February 6, district health officials said.

"Four more deaths were reported today. With this the toll has gone up to 53. Also, six new patients have been admitted to the hospital in Modasa taluka," Sabarkantha Chief District Health Officer (CDHO) H S Patel told PTI.

"Of the 53 who died, 20 are females. Most of the deceased were in the age group of 13-45 years", he said.

With six fresh incidents of the liver disease coming to light, the total cases registered in Sabarkantha has reached 171 of which 53 have died.

Meanwhile, doctors in Sabarkantha were on a strike to protest filing of police cases against some medical practitioners who have been booked for unsafe practises and improper disposal of bio-medical waste.

Dinesh Patel of Modasa Medical Association said the medical fraternity was being harassed.

"The government is harassing the doctors. They are treating them as if they are criminals and raiding their clinics and homes in the middle of the night," Patel alleged.