avian influenza
noun
: highly variable influenza A of birds caused by any of the subtypes of the causative orthomyxovirus of which some strains have been or may be transmitted to other vertebrates including humans especially after undergoing mutation
called also avian flu
compare bird fluExamples of avian influenza in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
What To Know Four cats in Oregon have been infected by avian influenza in the past two months, including two others in Washington County, according to a release by the WSDA.
—
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
There have been confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in eight states, including California.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Egg prices have skyrocketed nationwide due to the loss of many egg-laying chickens due to the avian influenza (commonly known as the bird flu).
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025
The recent outbreak of avian influenza in the United States was first detected in 2022, but has picked up steam over the last year, decimating poultry farms nationwide, killing tens of millions of birds and driving up the price of eggs.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025
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Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025
There have been confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in eight states, including California.
—Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2025
Egg prices have skyrocketed nationwide due to the loss of many egg-laying chickens due to the avian influenza (commonly known as the bird flu).
—Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025
The recent outbreak of avian influenza in the United States was first detected in 2022, but has picked up steam over the last year, decimating poultry farms nationwide, killing tens of millions of birds and driving up the price of eggs.
—Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for avian influenza
Dictionary Entries Near avian influenza
Cite this Entry
“Avian influenza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avian%20influenza. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
avian influenza
noun
variants
or avian flu
: influenza of birds that is caused by any of several subtypes (such as H5N2 or H7N7) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A) of which some strains have been transmitted to other vertebrates including humans especially after undergoing mutation
Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.—The Tennessee Tribune (Nashville)
The Tennessee Tribune (Nashville)And as you read this, millions of birds are being eliminated in Asia and elsewhere in an effort to contain avian flu.—Barry Gewen, The New York Times Book Review
Barry Gewen, The New York Times Book Reviewcalled also fowl pest, fowl plague
see bird fluLove words? Need even more definitions?
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