*Perilous Times
Almost 13,000 babies in hospital over poisoned formula*
September 22, 2008 - 2:08AM
Almost 13,000 infants in China have been taken to hospital after falling
ill from drinking tainted milk powder, the health ministry said Sunday,
according to state media.
The ministry said in a briefing on the crisis that the total number of
babies admitted to hospital after drinking poisoned formula was now
12,892, according to Xinhua news agency.
Four babies have died after drinking milk powder contaminated with
melamine, an industrial chemical, according to government statements, in
the latest in a string of health scandals to tarnish Chinese-made goods.
There were 104 cases in which babies showed serious symptoms, said the
ministry, and 1,579 babies had been cured and left hospital, Xinhua said.
© 2008 AFP