By Lauren Neergaard
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Scientists have discovered the possible presence of bird flu in wild mute swans in Michigan — but it does not appear to be the most worrisome strain, the Bush administration announced Monday.
The birds might have the H5N1 virus — confirmatory tests are under way — but other tests have ruled out that it could be the highly pathogenic version of that virus that has ravaged poultry in many other countries, Agriculture Department officials said.
“This is not the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that has spread through much of other parts of the world,” said Ron DeHaven, administrator of USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
“We do not believe this virus represents a risk to human health,” he declared.