In the last five days in Modassa taluka of Sabarkantha region, the lethal hepatitis D virus has taken lives of 12 people and left 26 hospitalized.

According to officials, out of 26 admitted to various hospitals in the region, five been rushed to the civil hospital in Ahmedabad.

Dr. H F Patel, chief district health officer, on Friday, said, “A central team from the National Institute of Communicable Diseases and Director General of Health Services (NICD & DGHS) will arrive soon to take stock of the situation.”

A three-member rescue team of B J Medical College, Ahmedabad, headed by Nayan Qadri has been camping in Modassa since Thursday.

Dr. Patel said, “At present five doctors and 27 paramedics are in the area.”

He said that Hepatitis D, which is also known as Hepatitis D virus (HDV) and classified as Hepatitis delta virus, is a disease caused by a small circular RNA virus. HDV is considered to be a subviral satellite as it can spread only in the presence of another virus, the Hepatitis B virus (HBV). The Hepatitis D virus is transmitted percutaneously or sexually through infected blood or blood products.

Dr. Patel added that the hepatitis D virus infects intravenous drug users most often.

He said that as a defensive measure they are also trying to increase knowledge about Hepatitis D in Modasa as well as nearby villages.

“We have published 25,000 pamphlets and as part of our awareness campaign, we are circulating it,” he said.