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
The lights work to keep ducks and geese — top carriers of bird flu — at bay.
—
Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025
Unlike human flu viruses, avian influenza viruses, or bird flu, tend to thrive in the lower respiratory tract, according to the researchers.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
The researchers pinpointed a part of the bird flu genome that helps the virus thrive in this warm environment, called PB1.
—NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
Turkey flocks are affected by several avian diseases, as millions of birds have been infected with bird flu and respiratory diseases.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
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Caroline Cummings, CBS News, 28 Nov. 2025
Unlike human flu viruses, avian influenza viruses, or bird flu, tend to thrive in the lower respiratory tract, according to the researchers.
—Health Reporter, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2025
The researchers pinpointed a part of the bird flu genome that helps the virus thrive in this warm environment, called PB1.
—NPR, 27 Nov. 2025
Turkey flocks are affected by several avian diseases, as millions of birds have been infected with bird flu and respiratory diseases.
—Sabrina Weiss, PEOPLE, 25 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 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 (Alphainfluenzavirus influenzae) that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections
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