H5N1 Milk Detection Study
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: Pasteurized milk contaminated with killed A(H5) virus.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Influenza. Basic parameters: 18 years — 64 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- United States
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Investigation of Impact of Milk Consumption on H5 Influenza Detection in Respiratory Specimens
Overview
The purpose of this study is to determine whether drinking pasteurized milk (milk heated to kill harmful germs) that contains inactive particles of a flu virus called A(H5) could lead to the detection of the virus in the nose or throat. Inactive particles are not capable of causing disease. The results will help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) better understand how milk consumption could affect flu surveillance. Investigators also want to see if the body produces antibodies in response to this milk consumption.
Detailed description
Since March 2024, avian influenza A (H5N1) viruses have infected U.S. dairy cattle and spread widely. The virus has been identified in high concentrations in raw milk, and research shows that pasteurization - the process of heating milk to a specific temperature for a set time - inactivates the A (H5N1) virus. Therefore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that commercial pasteurized milk is safe for consumption. However, trace amounts of inactive influenza particles may still be detected in pasteurized milk.
This study aims to determine whether drinking pasteurized milk could be a possible exposure for H5N1 influenza detection. The findings will support the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) efforts to evaluate milk consumption as a factor in influenza surveillance and provide context for interpreting surveillance data.
Healthy adults will drink 250 mL of pasteurized milk containing the inactive H5N1 virus, provided by the CDC, either during a single visit or over three consecutive daily visits. Nasal and combined nasal/oral swabs will be collected immediately following milk consumption to assess the presence of influenza. Additionally, a subset of participants will provide blood, saliva, and stool samples at the initial visit and again 21-30 days post-consumption.
Interventions
- Other Pasteurized milk contaminated with killed A(H5) virus
Milk to be used in the study will be obtained from the CDC. Pasteurized commercial milk likely to contain detectable A(H5N1) particles will be obtained from a source such as a recently affected dairy farm. The CDC Influenza Division laboratory (Viral, Surveillance, and Diagnosis Branch) will test the milk to confirm the presence of viral A(H5) RNA using a protocol developed and validated by the US FDA Agricultural Research Service. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has indicated that the
Primary outcome measures
- Proportion of respiratory specimens with influenza detected [Time frame: Up to 30 days after milk consumption]
Secondary outcome measures (1)
- Severe adverse events after milk consumption [Time frame: Up to 30 days after milk consumption]
Eligibility criteria
Inclusion criteria
- Individuals aged 18-64 years
- BMI ≤ 35 kg/m2
- Able to understand and give informed consent (American English) and comply with study visits and procedures.
- In good general health based on medical history and the investigator's clinical judgment.
Exclusion criteria
- Symptoms of acute respiratory illness or conjunctivitis within 7 days
- Febrile illness in the previous 72 hours
- Recent influenza antiviral use (within 14 days)
- Immunosuppression due to illness or medications
- Current pregnancy or breastfeeding
- History of allergy or intolerance to milk or milk alternatives
- Consumption of raw (unpasteurized) milk within the previous 14 days
- Recent work (within 14 days) on a farm with animals known to be infected with A(H5) virus
- Previous receipt of A(H5) vaccine at any time
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: Yes
Study design
- Allocation
- Non-randomized
- Model
- Sequential
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
Study locations
United States · 1 center
- Hope Clinic — Atlanta
Identifiers
NCT: NCT06850298 · STUDY00009067 · 75N93021C00017-P00012-9999-5 · 2025P010412