USDA Official Says Agency Believes Bird Flu Transmission In Cows Is Primarily Transmitted Through Direct Or Indirect Contact With Milk

May 1 (Reuters) -

* FDA SAYS ADDITIONAL BIRD FLU PCR TESTING OF MILK, COTTAGE CHEESE AND SOUR CREAM SHOWED NO VIABLE VIRUS

* U.S. CDC SAYS TESTING SHOWED COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE ANTIVIRAL DRUGS WORKED AGAINST BIRD FLU VIRUS RECOVERED FROM THE INFECTED DAIRY FARM WORKER

* CDC SAYS AROUND 25 PEOPLE WERE TESTED FOR BIRD FLU AND NO NEW CASES HAVE BEEN FOUND

* CDC, USDA OFFICIALS SAY THEY PLAN TO DO A BLOOD TESTING STUDY OF PEOPLE, CATTLE, DAIRY COWS FOR SIGNS THAT BIRD FLU VIRUS WAS PRESENT

* USDA OFFICIAL SAYS AGENCY BELIEVES BIRD FLU TRANSMISSION IN COWS IS PRIMARILY TRANSMITTED THROUGH DIRECT OR INDIRECT CONTACT WITH MILK (Reporting By Caroline Humer)