The number of children admitted to hospital in China after drinking infant formula tainted with melamine has risen to 12 892, with 104 seriously ill. Across the country 39 965 children have already been treated and discharged, China’s Ministry of Health has said.

The incident, which has so far claimed the lives of four children, has led to the resignation of Li Changjang, head of China’s quality watchdog organisation, say reports from the state news agency.

A 4 year old girl in Hong Kong became the first known victim outside mainland China when she was discovered on 19 September to have kidney stones as a result of drinking tainted milk.

The World Health Organization, which was informed of the problem only on 11 September, has criticised China’s internal communication and food …