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
The milk samples that tested positive for bird flu were unpasteurized, according to federal officials.
—
Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Pigs are considered effective and concerning flu-recombination factories — mammalian vessels that mix human and bird flu viruses with potentially lethal ease.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Related: Why a leading bird flu expert isn’t convinced that the risk H5N1 poses to people has declined
Comparisons to seasonal flu management underestimate the unique challenges posed by H5N1.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
Cats and dogs are susceptible to the bird flu virus and can acquire it from infected birds, their feces or contaminated water.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Upon learning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week that cows in a handful of dairy farms had tested positive for bird flu, the CDC contacted state health departments, asking them to work with farms to identify any person who may be showing symptoms.
—Sara G. Miller, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Humans are not usually affected by the bird flu virus.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
An outbreak of the bird flu could make future trips to the grocery store more expensive.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Colorado inmate is 1st human case of bird flu in US
This marks the second human case of H5N1 ever reported in the U.S, but the first linked to cattle.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024
Andrew Jeong, Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2024
Pigs are considered effective and concerning flu-recombination factories — mammalian vessels that mix human and bird flu viruses with potentially lethal ease.
—Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 Apr. 2024
Related: Why a leading bird flu expert isn’t convinced that the risk H5N1 poses to people has declined
Comparisons to seasonal flu management underestimate the unique challenges posed by H5N1.
—Luciana Borio and Phil Krause, STAT, 12 Apr. 2024
Cats and dogs are susceptible to the bird flu virus and can acquire it from infected birds, their feces or contaminated water.
—Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times, 9 Apr. 2024
Upon learning from the U.S. Department of Agriculture last week that cows in a handful of dairy farms had tested positive for bird flu, the CDC contacted state health departments, asking them to work with farms to identify any person who may be showing symptoms.
—Sara G. Miller, NBC News, 4 Apr. 2024
Humans are not usually affected by the bird flu virus.
—The Enquirer, 3 Apr. 2024
An outbreak of the bird flu could make future trips to the grocery store more expensive.
—Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
Colorado inmate is 1st human case of bird flu in US
This marks the second human case of H5N1 ever reported in the U.S, but the first linked to cattle.
—Youri Benadjaoud, ABC News, 1 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird flu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
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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