Also, Sachin Rawal (4) from Bakor in Panchmahals has been tested positive for the deadly virus.

According to health officials, the duo had visited neighbouring Modasa and came in contact with the virus there. While Rawal was treated for skin disease in Modasa where he was infected with the virus before the family returned to Godhra, Bamania, a resident of Dahod, had been working at Modasa for the last six years. She was tested positive for HBV upon her return to Godhra last week.

In a mass survey in the twin tribal districts bordering Sabarkantha, the district health officials identified seven HBV cases in Dahod and Panchmahals districts; of which, two cases are of mutated HBV in Modasa.

“The other cases are of normal Hepatitis B virus. The patients have been admitted to the Godhra Civil Hospital,” said Dr B K Patel, Epidemic Medical Officer, Godhra.

After investigating into the case history of Sangeeta Pagi, 23, who was detected to be suffering from Hepatitis B on Wednesday, the district health authorities have registered a case against a private practitioner, Dr Raman Upadhyay.

He had treated Pagi of fever and diarrhoea three months ago.

The case was registered with the Kotamba police station in Lunawada on Wednesday. Upadhyay has been absconding since then.

“As per the circular from the state government, the chief district health officer has been given the full authority to take action in such cases. Pagi had informed that she was given bottles of saline when she was being treated for diarrhoea by Upadhyay,” said Prakash Vaghela, CDHO, Panchmahals.

He added: “We have registered a case against the private practitioner, but the police later informed that Upadhyay and his family members are missing. Even the board at his clinic has also been pulled down.”

A medical officer in Dahod, meanwhile, said that the new cases have not yet been proven clinically.