**************************************
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 products.
The case was reported by the Hospital Authority. This is the seventh case of its kind reported to the CHP.
The case involves a two-and-a half-year-old boy living in Southern District. It was reported that the boy has a history of consuming milk and biscuits adulterated with melamine.
He has no symptoms of renal problems.
His parents took him to a Hospital Authority special assessment centre for a medical check-up and two renal stones were found in his right kidney. He is in stable condition and hospitalisation is not required.
In the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received 57 enquiries from members of the public, and this brings to 9,658 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 3,298 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 942 of the affected people, 505 males and 437 females aged from one to 71, 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 6,360 callers had no history of exposure to melamine adulterated milk products and just asked for general health advice.
The CHP hotline, which operates from 9am to 5pm daily, caters for individuals who have consumed milk products contaminated with melamine or those who are experiencing renal symptoms.
Ends/Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:31
NNNN