China's Health Ministry says two infants have died from ingesting contaminated milk powder and 1,253 have been sickened. Hundreds more remain under observation in hospitals, the ministry says. As of Monday morning, 913 infants are only slightly affected and their condition was not considered life threatening, Vice Health Minister Ma Xiaowei told reporters at a news conference in Beijing.

However, 340 remain hospitalized and 53 cases were considered especially severe, he said.

No information was given about the fatalities, although authorities had earlier announced one death.

The number of diagnosed cases of contamination with the industrial chemical melamine was more than double the previous figure of about 580.

Email To A Friend