13 Mar 2009
The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is investigating into a case of 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 15th case of its kind reported to the CHP.
A CHP spokesman said today (March 13) that the case involved a six-year-old girl living in Kwun Tong.
It was reported that the girl had a history of consuming milk adulterated with melamine. She said to have on and off difficulty and pain on urination. Her parents took her to Union Christian Hospital for assessment on February 9. She was admitted to Princess Margaret Hospital on February 23 and was discharged on March 3 in stable condition. A renal stone was found in her left kidney.
In the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 received five enquiries from the public, bringing to 10,895 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
"A total of 4,035 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 1,224 of the affected people, 662 males and 562 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 6,860 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.