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
Still, egg markets remain sensitive to disease outbreaks, and those forecasts can change quickly if a new wave of bird flu tightens supply.
—
Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Though the threat of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, is still high, the egg industry now has an oversupply, and wholesale egg prices in early January were at record lows, an egg farmer and others in the industry told USA TODAY.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Battling bird flu outbreaks across Iowa last year was a big job, state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says.
—Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 30 Jan. 2026
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) told local outlet FOX31 News there was a presumptive positive test for HPAI, also known as the bird flu, at an egg laying facility in the county.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
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Mike Winters, CNBC, 13 Feb. 2026
Though the threat of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu, is still high, the egg industry now has an oversupply, and wholesale egg prices in early January were at record lows, an egg farmer and others in the industry told USA TODAY.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026
Battling bird flu outbreaks across Iowa last year was a big job, state Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says.
—Donnelle Eller, Des Moines Register, 30 Jan. 2026
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) told local outlet FOX31 News there was a presumptive positive test for HPAI, also known as the bird flu, at an egg laying facility in the county.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 30 Jan. 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 21 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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