bird flu
noun
: avian influenza
specifically
: severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus 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
There is no person-to-person spread of the bird flu, according to the CDC.
—
Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
New research shows that cow udder cells can be infected with human flu and bird flu viruses at the same time, which means the viruses could exchange genes and generate novel strains that would be better adapted to infecting people.
—Chris Simms, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025
The sharp decline in egg prices is likely due to a decrease in bird flu cases in commercial and backyard flocks since the start of the year.
—Claire Malon, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
This is especially important for farmworkers, who are most at risk of bird flu.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
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Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 26 Sep. 2025
New research shows that cow udder cells can be infected with human flu and bird flu viruses at the same time, which means the viruses could exchange genes and generate novel strains that would be better adapted to infecting people.
—Chris Simms, Scientific American, 25 Sep. 2025
The sharp decline in egg prices is likely due to a decrease in bird flu cases in commercial and backyard flocks since the start of the year.
—Claire Malon, Boston Herald, 17 Sep. 2025
This is especially important for farmworkers, who are most at risk of bird flu.
—Brooke Baitinger, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
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 1 Oct. 2025.
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 that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections
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