City hospitals check four infants amid dairy scare; Hu lashes cadres
A three-year-old girl has become the first known victim in Hong Kong of the adulterated-milk scandal that has killed four babies on the mainland and made thousands ill. She is one of four young children referred to hospital specialists with suspected renal problems related to the tainted milk.
The girl was discovered to have a kidney stone in a check-up on Friday. She had been fed Yili Dairy high- calcium low-fat milk beverage, one of several milk products exported to Hong Kong that have been found to contain the industrial chemical melamine.
Health officials warned last week that drinking the beverage could be harmful to children.
The news came as the nation's top leaders promised all-out efforts to ensure food safety and criticised officials' slow response to emergencies. Vice-Premier Li Keqiang became the first top leader to meet families hit by the scandal, visiting children who are in hospital in Hebei after drinking adulterated milk.
The Centre for Health Protection said the Hong Kong girl, who lives in Hung Hom, was found to have a stone in her left kidney on Friday. While she did not show any symptoms, she received treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital yesterday. The girl's condition was mild and she was discharged pending further tests.
Three other cases have been referred to the hospital. No information about them has been released.
