bird flu

noun

Definition of bird flu

: 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 By chemically analyzing the fecal samples, researchers found that the concentration of volatile chemical compounds in them changed when a duck became infected with bird flu. — Glen J. Golden, The Conversation, "The scent of sickness: 5 questions answered about using dogs – and mice and ferrets – to detect disease," 13 Jan. 2021 On Sunday the British government said the public health risk was very low, and the bird flu does not pose a food safety risk. — Frank Miles, Fox News, "Amid coronavirus, UK official warns of bird flu risk: ‘Get prepared!’," 4 Dec. 2020 The alarm bells set off by a 1997 Hong Kong bird flu outbreak, one that leapt from poultry to humans, spurred years of work to modernize pandemic planning. — Editorial Board Star Tribune, Star Tribune, "'Build back better' must include the struggling but vital CDC," 13 Dec. 2020 But interest in turkey has been steadily falling, thanks in part to price increases five years ago when flocks were hit by bird flu. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Insure your turkey for holiday fails? Whole Foods and Progressive offering 'Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan'," 11 Nov. 2020 Amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, Chief Veterinary Officer Christine Middlemiss in the United Kingdom tweeted a warning about bird flu after a H5N8 strain was found at a turkey farm in northern England. — Frank Miles, Fox News, "Amid coronavirus, UK official warns of bird flu risk: ‘Get prepared!’," 4 Dec. 2020 But interest in turkey has been steadily falling, thanks in part to price increases five years ago when flocks were hit by bird flu. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Insure your turkey for holiday fails? Whole Foods and Progressive offering 'Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan'," 11 Nov. 2020 But interest in turkey has been steadily falling, thanks in part to price increases five years ago when flocks were hit by bird flu. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Insure your turkey for holiday fails? Whole Foods and Progressive offering 'Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan'," 11 Nov. 2020 But interest in turkey has been steadily falling, thanks in part to price increases five years ago when flocks were hit by bird flu. — Kelly Tyko, USA TODAY, "Insure your turkey for holiday fails? Whole Foods and Progressive offering 'Thanksgiving Turkey Protection Plan'," 11 Nov. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bird flu.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.