Fragments of the avian influenza virus discovered in milk
Federal regulators said Tuesday that pasteurized milk samples from across the country tested positive for inactive residues of the avian influenza virus that has infected dairy cows.The viral fragments pose no threat to consumers, officials said. “To date, we have seen nothing that would change our assessment that the commercial supply of milk is safe,” the Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.Over the past month, the avian influenza virus known as H5N1 has been detected on more than 30 dairy farms in eight states. The virus is also known to have infected a farmer, whose only symptom was pink eye.Scientists have been critical of the federal response, saying the Agriculture Department has been too slow to share important data and has not adequately pursued testing cattle for t...