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
Minnesota on Thursday, June 6, reported its first case of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza in a dairy herd in Benton County.
—
Michael Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 June 2024
The Mexican government does not know where the patient was exposed to the virus, though the strain of avian influenza has been reported in poultry in the Mexican state where the person lived.
—Riley Griffin / Bloomberg, TIME, 5 June 2024
The vaccine to be administered in Finland is designed off a different avian influenza virus called H5N8, but researchers say the shot should still confer protection against H5N1.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 5 June 2024
Their responses ranged from dubious to incredulous: A human case of avian influenza had never been reported in their part of eastern Cambodia.
—Stephanie Nolen Thomas Cristofoletti, New York Times, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for avian influenza 
Michael Johnson, Twin Cities, 6 June 2024
The Mexican government does not know where the patient was exposed to the virus, though the strain of avian influenza has been reported in poultry in the Mexican state where the person lived.
—Riley Griffin / Bloomberg, TIME, 5 June 2024
The vaccine to be administered in Finland is designed off a different avian influenza virus called H5N8, but researchers say the shot should still confer protection against H5N1.
—Andrew Joseph, STAT, 5 June 2024
Their responses ranged from dubious to incredulous: A human case of avian influenza had never been reported in their part of eastern Cambodia.
—Stephanie Nolen Thomas Cristofoletti, New York Times, 21 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for avian influenza
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'avian influenza.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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 15 Jun. 2024.
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?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share