Authorities in western India have arrested eight doctors for alleged medical malpractice after a hepatitis B outbreak killed at least 38 people, officials said. At least 125 others in the Modasa district of Gujarat state have been infected with the virus in the past two weeks and are undergoing treatment, state Health Minister Jaynarayan Vyas told the Press Trust of India. The doctors have been charged with malpractice for using the same syringe on multiple patients, negligence and improper disposal of medical waste, regional deputy superintendent of police K.K. Mysorewala said late Saturday. If convicted, they could face between two years and life in prison. It is spread through infected blood, semen and from using contaminated needles. It can be prevented through vaccination and ranges from mild illness to liver damage or cancer. Vyas said a mass immunization drive has been started in Modasa following the outbreak. Health authorities started carrying out raids in Gujurat for fake drugs and recycled syringes following the outbreak the Times of India reported, according to CNN. The government has provided over 60,000 vaccines and is arranging several thousand more from Hyderabad the Vyas told expressindia.com. On Feb 20, the BBC reported 25 people died from Hepatitis B over a two-week period. Investigators indicated the deaths were caused by a mutation in the Hepatitis virus already infecting those patients. __
