Work

Can active surveillance provide a rapid response to an emerging child health issue? The melamine example

Year: 2009

Type: article

Abstract: In mid-September 2008, the federal government became aware of an outbreak of renal disease (renal stones and/or acute renal failure) in very young children in China, associated with consumption of powdered infant formula that was adulterated with melamine. Thousands of children in China were hospitalized, and several died (1). Melamine contamination was also found in other Chinese products that had a milk component, such as candies and coffee drinks. Some Chinese milk-derived products sold in Canada were found to contain low levels of melamine and were recalled from the market (2). Infant formula manufactured in China is not approved for sale in Canada, and the manufacturers of infant formula sold in Canada do not use any milk ingredients originating in China. Therefore, the likelihood of Canadian infants being exposed to the formula that was affecting so many children in China was very low. Nevertheless, in light of patterns of international travel, adoption and immigration, there was a possibility that infants in Canada might be affected. Working in concert with Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provided information for health care professionals and the public on this issue (3,4). The PHAC also endeavoured to determine whether there were cases of renal illness in Canadian children that may have been caused by the milk formula contamination in China.

Source: Paediatrics & Child Health

DOI: 10.1093/pch/14.5.285