avian influenza

noun

Definition of avian influenza

: 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 flu

Examples of avian influenza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web These included bacterial diseases like bovine tuberculosis and Q fever, viral diseases like Nipah virus and H5N1 avian influenza, and prion diseases like Bovine spongiform encephalopathy. — John Drake, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 China has reported 21 human infections with the H5N6 subtype of avian influenza so far this year, more than in the whole of 2020. — Reuters, CNN, 15 Nov. 2021 Beyond the taste, turkey alternatives are growing due to rising prices for the birds, health scares related to avian influenza and the terrible treatment of turkeys at factory farms, Williamson says. — Jeff Kart, Forbes, 12 Nov. 2021 So far, researchers have received negative test results for avian influenza, West Nile virus, salmonella, chlamydia, Newcastle disease virus, herpesviruses, Trichomonas parasites and other conditions. — Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2021 The statement from the Wuhan health board said that influenza, avian influenza, and adenovirus infections — the latter can cause serious respiratory illness — have been ruled out. — Eric Reinhart, STAT, 5 Oct. 2021 So far, researchers have received negative test results for avian influenza, West Nile virus, salmonella, chlamydia, Newcastle disease virus, herpesviruses, Trichomonas parasites and other conditions. — Emily Deletter, The Enquirer, 9 Sep. 2021 These three examples — avian influenza, bovine tuberculosis, and African swine fever — are just the tip of the iceberg. — John Drake, Forbes, 12 Oct. 2021 The birds have tested negative for several diseases including avian influenza, West Nile virus, salmonella, chlamydia, Newcastle disease virus, herpesviruses and Trichomonas parasites. — London Gibson, The Indianapolis Star, 13 Sep. 2021

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'avian influenza.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Learn More About avian influenza

Dictionary Entries Near avian influenza

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Statistics for avian influenza

Last Updated

10 Jan 2022

Cite this Entry

“Avian influenza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avian%20influenza. Accessed 22 Jan. 2022.

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More Definitions for avian influenza

avian influenza

noun

variants: or avian flu

Medical Definition of avian influenza

: 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), 23 Mar. 2006 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, 14 Mar. 2004

— called also fowl pest, fowl plague

— see bird flu