The number of children sickened by suspected melamine-tainted milk products in China has more than doubled and apparently spread beyond mainland China -- raising fears that the impact of the tainted products could be more widespread that initially thought.

中国因食用含有三聚氰胺有害物质奶粉而染病的婴幼儿数量在不断攀升，而且已经波及到中国大陆以外的地区，中国乳品丑闻范围的扩大，加剧了消费者的不安情绪。

China's Health Ministry announced Sunday that 12,892 infants and young children have been sickened by tainted milk powder -- more than double the number previously reported -- according to state-run Xinhua news agency. Of these, 104 have serious symptoms, and 1,579 have been cured and discharged, the agency said.

据新华社报道，中国卫生部部长宣布，截至上周日，共有12,892名婴幼儿因食用有毒奶粉而染病，超出上次报告中数目两倍多。卫生部还表示，其中较重症状的婴幼儿有104人，已经治愈的有1,579人。

Previously, Chinese officials said more than 6,200 children had been sickened by melamine found in baby formula. At least four children have died. Xinhua reported the first death from from the toxin on September 12.

先前中国政府官员曾表示有超过6,200名婴幼儿因食用含有三聚氰胺的婴幼儿奶粉而染病。至少4名婴幼儿已经死亡。新华社9月12日报道第一例因毒奶粉死亡的婴幼儿。

In addition, nearly 40,000 other infants and young children have received outpatient medical treatment and consultation as a result of the tainted milk, Xinhua reported on Sunday.

另外，新华社周日报道，因为食用毒奶粉而接受门诊治疗和咨询的婴幼儿有近40,000人。

Melamine is commonly used in coatings and laminates, wood adhesives, fabric coatings, ceiling tiles and flame retardants. It has shown up in testing done on milk and yogurt, prompting at least two supermarket chains in Hong Kong to pull dairy products by Mengniu and Yili from store shelves, representatives from the companies told CNN Friday.

The Chinese State Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine said the amount of the chemical found in the milk would not cause ill effects in adults who drank less than two liters a day.

中国国家质量监督和检验检疫管理部门表示，如果成年人每天引用含有三聚氰胺的牛奶不超过两升，则不会染病。