22 Jan 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating a case of a child with renal stone suspected to be related to the consumption of melamine tainted milk products.
The case was reported by the Hospital Authority. It is the 14th case of its kind reported to the CHP.
A CHP spokesman said today (January 22) that the case involved a 12-year-old boy living in Tuen Mun.
It was reported that the boy has a history of consuming milk adulterated with melamine. He was asymptomatic. His parents took him to Tuen Mun Hospital for assessment in December 2008. He was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on January 2 and was discharged on January 9 in stable condition. A renal stone was found in his left kidney.
In the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received five enquiries from members of the public, and this brings to 10,759 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 3,976 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 1,205 of the affected people, 651 males and 554 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 6,783 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.