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 Texas Parks & Wildlife Department issued a wildlife health alert as avian influenza, or bird flu, continues spreading among wild birds in parts of the Panhandle.
—
Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The risk of people in the general public contracting bird flu remains low, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, the slide in egg prices is largely a result of easing impacts from a bird flu outbreak.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Health experts say that while the risk of infection to the general public is very low, bird flu can spread between animals and humans.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for bird flu
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Faith Bugenhagen, Austin American Statesman, 27 Feb. 2026
The risk of people in the general public contracting bird flu remains low, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
—Sarah Volpenhein, jsonline.com, 27 Feb. 2026
For example, the slide in egg prices is largely a result of easing impacts from a bird flu outbreak.
—Alex Harring, CNBC, 26 Feb. 2026
Health experts say that while the risk of infection to the general public is very low, bird flu can spread between animals and humans.
—Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 25 Feb. 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 7 Mar. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
