China Says Six Dead In Melamine Scandal, Almost 300,000 Sickened

China's Health Ministry said six babies may have died after consuming tainted milk powder, up from a previous official toll of three, and announced a six-fold increase in its tally of infants sickened in the scandal - to nearly 300,000.

It was the first time since Sept. 21 that health authorities have revised the total number of babies sickened by milk powered adulterated with the industrial chemical melamine. The previous total was about 50,000.