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The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (December 9) did not receive any report from the Hospital Authority (HA) and private doctors of renal problems related to consumption of melamine tainted milk products(MTMP), a CHP spokesman said.
CHP has earlier received a total of 12 reports on children with renal stones related to consumption of MTMP. It has now verified that two of these reported cases as non-melamine related after HA's detailed investigations showing that the renal stones were most likely attributable to underlying hypercalciuria.
As at today, CHP has revised the total number of reported cases as 10, comprising four girls and six boys aged between 30 months and 10 years. Nine of them, who had been hospitalised, were discharged in stable condition. The remaining one did not require hospitalisation.
CHP has sent letters to local doctors today informing them that upon receiving the latest information from the World Health Organisation on Tolerable Daily Intake of melamine, CHP has revised the local case definition of renal diseases associated with MTMP.
Meanwhile, in the 24 hours to 1pm today, the CHP hotline 2125 1133 had received six enquiries from members of the public, bringing to 10,566 the number of calls received by the hotline since it was set up on September 21.
A total of 3,855 callers claimed that they or their children had consumed milk products which were confirmed to have been adulterated with melamine, and 1,165 of the affected people, 624 males and 541 females aged from one to 82, claimed to have symptoms of renal problems including dysuria and changes in the frequency of urination.
ˇ°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 6,711 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.
Ends/Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Issued at HKT 21:01
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