BEIJING, Jan. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Ministry of Health said Monday that China had screened 22.4 million babies who were fed melamine-tainted formula milk, and that 296,000 babies were sickened by the tainted milk.

    Ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an said at a regular press briefing that 52,898 sick babies had been treated in hospitals nationwide by the end of December, 52,582 of them were cured.

    Mao said the Ministry, in conjunction with other related government bodies, was trying to properly handle the public health emergency, investigate causes of the accident and strengthen inspection on food safety.