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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating two cases of renal problems reported by the Hospital Authority suspected to be related to the consumption of melamine tainted milk products.
A CHP spokesman said today (November 12) that the cases involved two four-year-old girls living in Tai Hang and Wan Chai respectively.
It was reported that the two girls had no symptoms of renal problems but had a history of exposure to melamine tainted milk products and biscuits bought from the Mainland and in the local market.
Their parents took them to the Special Assessment Centre at Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital for medical checkups in October.
A renal stone was found in the left kidney of the girl living in Tai Hang. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) for treatment on October 21 and was discharged on October 29.
As for the girl living in Wan Chai, a renal stone was found in her right kidney. She was admitted to PMH on October 29 and was discharged on November 7.
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.
Meanwhile, in the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received five enquiries from members of the public, bringing to 10,364 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 3,750 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 1,113 of the affected people, 596 males and 517 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 6,614 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 from Monday to Friday and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays, caters for individuals who have consumed milk products contaminated with melamine or those who are experiencing renal symptoms.
Ends/Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Issued at HKT 16:46
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