flavivirus

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

Examples of flavivirus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Zika, a flavivirus that falls under the same category as West Nile, causes only mild symptoms — at worst — in most people. — Rose Minutaglio, PEOPLE.com, "The Zika Virus: Your Questions, Answered," 3 July 2019 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.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about flavivirus

Dictionary Entries near flavivirus

flavine

flavin enzyme

flavin mononucleotide

Statistics for flavivirus

Cite this Entry

“Flavivirus.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flavivirus. Accessed 29 January 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for flavivirus

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