(Yicai Global) Feb. 7 -- China's health authorities have launched an investigation into a batch of immunoglobulin used for intravenous injections that reportedly contain antibodies for human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV.

The drugs, carrying the batch number of 20180610Z, were manufactured by China Meheco Xinxing Pharma in Shanghai, the local drug watchdog said in a statement yesterday. It has ordered the company to halt production and initiate an emergency product recall.

The National Health Commission has requested the National Medical Products Administration demand medical institutions across the country stop using and seal products of the batch number in question.

The risk of contracting HIV is "very low" for those who received the treatment, the commission said, basing its on related literature, manufacturing techniques and the acidity of the immunoglobulin.

A follow-up monitoring plan has been made for these people, it said, adding that it has sent a working team to Shanghai to supervise related work.

A group of experts sent by the National Medical Products Administration has arrived in Shanghai for site inspection at the company. All the related production and inspection records have been sealed.

Editor: James Boynton