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 flu

Examples of avian influenza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the first two months of 2025, tens of million of birds were affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza across 39 states, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture data. —Chicago Tribune, Boston Herald, 19 July 2025

Egg and chicken prices have been on the rise for several years following the nationwide avian influenza outbreak that killed off millions of birds. —Maia Pandey, jsonline.com, 17 July 2025

In the first two months of 2025, 12.6 to 23.2 million birds were affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza in the United States, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025

What is bird flu? Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a highly pathogenic virus. —Brandi D. Addison, Austin American Statesman, 24 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for avian influenza

• parainfluenza
• cadenza

Medical 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)

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

called also fowl pest, fowl plague

see bird flu