bird flu
noun
: avian influenza
specifically
: severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections
Examples of bird flu in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Sweetbriar Nature Center Bendicksen said the hawk was suffering from starvation, not bird flu, but it was quarantined just in case.
—
John Dias, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
While a surge in bird flu cases among breeder chickens pushed the national average to a new record in June, those increases were measured in a few cents.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Hundreds of geese have reportedly died in New Jersey, and bird flu is suspected to be the culprit.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Indiana bird flu cases tend to increase in the late winter and early spring as the weather warms up and wild bird migration begins, but the state also saw a large number of cases, more than 90, in October 2025.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
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John Dias, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
While a surge in bird flu cases among breeder chickens pushed the national average to a new record in June, those increases were measured in a few cents.
—Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Hundreds of geese have reportedly died in New Jersey, and bird flu is suspected to be the culprit.
—Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 19 Feb. 2026
Indiana bird flu cases tend to increase in the late winter and early spring as the weather warms up and wild bird migration begins, but the state also saw a large number of cases, more than 90, in October 2025.
—Karl Schneider, IndyStar, 18 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
Cite this Entry
“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
bird flu
noun
: avian influenza
specifically
: severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections
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