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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of a child with renal stones suspected to be related to the consumption of melamine tainted milk products.
The case was reported by the Hospital Authority. This is the 11th case of its kind reported to the CHP.
A CHP spokesman said today (December 11) that the case involved a 10-year-old boy living in Tze Wan Shan.
It was reported that the boy had a history of exposure to melamine tainted milk products and biscuits bought from the local market.
The products concerned were earlier found by the Centre for Food Safety to have been adulterated with melamine, a chemical that can cause kidney stones leading to renal failure in children.
In the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received seven enquiries from members of the public, and this brings to 10,577 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 3,863 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 1,166 of the affected people, 624 males and 542 females aged from one to 82, claimed to have symptoms of renal problems including dysuria and changes in the frequency of urination.
"They have been advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible to ascertain if they are suffering from renal disease," the spokesman said.
The remaining 6,714 callers had no history of exposure to melamine adulterated milk products and just asked for general health advice.
The CHP hotline 2125 1133 operates from 9am to 5.45pm from Monday to Friday. The hotline caters for individuals who have consumed milk products contaminated with melamine or those who are experiencing renal symptoms.
Ends/Thursday, December 11, 2008
Issued at HKT 17:09
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