*************************************
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (October 16) did not receive any reports from the Hospital Authority and private doctors of renal problems involving people with a history of exposure to melamine tainted milk products, a CHP spokesman said.
In the 24 hours up to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received 66 enquiries from members of the public, and this brings to 9,765 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 3,360 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 974 of the affected people, 517 males and 457 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 were suffering from renal disease," the spokesman said.
The remaining 6,405 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/Thursday, October 16, 2008
Issued at HKT 18:46
NNNN