A new study has found that flu shots for pregnant women can help protect babies from the flu until six months of age.

There is currently no flu vaccine for babies under six-months-old, but babies in that age group are more likely to be hospitalized for the virus than any other age group

The number of babies made ill after drinking milk powder contaminated with melamine has risen to 1,253. Chinese vice health minister Ma Shaowei told reporters at a press conference in Beijing, "As many as 10,000 infants may have drunk the contaminated Sanlu milk powder." The news came after a second baby died due to melamine contamination.

New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark on Monday accused local Chinese officials and Sanlu Group of trying to "put a towel over" the scandal until his government blew the whistle on the issue

Authorities in China on Monday reported the arrest of two men as part of the investigation into the controversial contaminated baby milk formula that sickened over 600 infants.

The announcement came as new Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark said she learned about the issue on September 5 and directed her senior ministers to coordinate with provincial officials in China to inform their superiors

The number of Chinese babies confirmed to have kidney stones due to drinking contaminated milk powder has risen to 432 as the Chinese government admits the seriousness of the situation.

Health ministry official Gao Qiang said, "This is a severe food safety accident," and added those responsible would be "severe" punished

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning about buying any infant formula imported from China, after a brand called Sanlu was linked with kidney stones in infants.

Federal authorities have especially warned Chinese American communities across the United States, including Southern California, which houses the largest ethnic Chinese populations in the nation