Apple issued a warning on Tuesday that some of its iPods are infected with a Windows virus.

According to Apple, some video iPods made after Sept. 12 included the RavMonE virus. The virus affects only Windows computers.

According to Apple, the iPod nano, iPod shuffle and Mac OS X are not affected, and all Video iPods now shipping are virus free.

In a unusual PR move, Apple is trying to blame their manufacturing problem on Microsoft’s Windows operating system.

“As you might imagine, we are upset at Windows for not being more hardy against such viruses, and even more upset with ourselves for not catching it,” said Apple.

According to Apple’s announcement, RavMonE.exe is a known Windows virus and current anti-virus software using the default settings should detect and remove it. Apple doesn’t explain why these basic precautions weren’t followed at its manufacturing plant.

Apple suggest scanning your Video iPod to ensure both it and your machine are virus-free:

After installing an anti-virus application, you should attach your Video iPod to your Windows computer and run the anti-virus program. If your Windows system is infected with this virus, an alert will be triggered and inform you that the virus has been detected and either quarantined or removed. You should then use iTunes 7 to easily restore the software on your newly purchased Video iPod.

Because this Windows virus propagates via mass storage devices, we recommend that you scan any mass storage devices that you have recently attached to your Windows computers such as external hard drives, digital cameras with removable media, and USB flash drives.

Source: Apple