flavivirus

noun fla·vi·vi·rus \ ˈflā-vi-ˌvī-rəs \

Definition of flavivirus

: any of a family (Flaviviridae and especially genus Flavivirus) of single-stranded RNA viruses transmitted especially by ticks and mosquitoes and including the causative agents of dengue, hepatitis C, hog cholera, Saint Louis encephalitis, West Nile virus, and yellow fever

Recent Examples of flavivirus from the Web

However, the study said technical obstacles will delay making vaccines against Zika and other related viruses, called flaviviruses.

— bradley j. fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Zika drug prevents infection in monkeys," 4 Oct. 2017
Upon entering a human body, had the long-unheralded flavivirus always had the power to attack any developing brain tissue inside its human host and wreak a special kind of havoc?

— melissa healy, latimes.com, "Once harmless, the Zika virus became lethal after a single genetic mutation took hold around 2013," 28 Sep. 2017
Also, the disease belongs to a family of viruses known as flaviviruses, which scientists have been battling for more than a century.

— katie thomas, New York Times, "Testing in Zika Zones," 19 Nov. 2016
False positives, however, are possible because Zika is a flavivirus, like dengue and yellow fever; currently a positive test result can be triggered by one of the related viruses.

— marc santora, New York Times, "C.D.C. and States Ponder Plans to Keep Ahead of Zika JUNE 21, 2016," 1 July 2016

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

Origin and Etymology of flavivirus

New Latin, from Latin flavus yellow + New Latin -i- + virus — more at virus

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1974

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

flavivirus

noun fla·vi·vi·rus \ ˈflā-vi-ˌvī-rəs \

medical Definition of flavivirus

1 capitalized : a genus of the family Flaviviridae of single-stranded RNA viruses that are transmitted by arthropod vectors and especially by ticks and mosquitoes and that include the causative agents of dengue, Japanese B encephalitis, Saint Louis encephalitis, West Nile fever, and yellow fever

2 : any virus of the genus Flavivirus or the family Flaviviridae