Top bird flu scientist who's studied virus for 20 years says he's quit milk - as FDA begins testing dairy cows for deadly virus | 25 April 2024 | A top bird flu scientist has declared he is no longer drinking cow's milk amid the alarming outbreak in cattle across American farms. Dr Rick Bright, a virologist and former director at the Department of Health and Human Services, revealed his decision on X, warning that the virus — which has infected two Americans so far - could still be active in milk. "Minor inconvenience to pause my milk consumption while waiting for data," he said. 'Delayed transparency influenced my decision." The worrying comments come days after the FDA revealed traces of the virus have been detected in grocery store milk, with separate testing in Ohio suggesting nearly 40 percent of all milks in stores could be affected.