The Ministry of Health announced Wednesday that 5,824 infants are still receiving treatment in hospital nationwide for kidney diseases caused by tainted powdered milk.

Six of them are in serious conditions, the ministry said in a press release.

No child died of toxic milk last month and all death cases reported so far occurred between May and August, the statement said.

A total of 43,603 children have recovered and left hospital since milk powder produced by Sanlu Group was found containing a banned chemical melamine in mid September, the statement said.

Later inspection involved several other dairy producers.

On Wednesday, 203 children were hospitalized and 764 recovered, the statement said.

(Xinhua News Agency October 16, 2008)