swine flu

noun

Definition of swine flu

: swine influenza also : influenza A of humans that is caused by a different strain of an orthomyxovirus subtype (H1N1) from those found in swine and that is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting

Examples of swine flu in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web San Diego was ground zero for the H1N1 or swine flu pandemic, with the first U.S. case diagnosed there in 2009. — oregonlive, 10 Oct. 2021 After witnessing the White House’s response to the 2009 swine flu epidemic, when vaccine supplies were snatched up by wealthy nations, Hatchett knew a similar reaction to Covid-19 would mean disaster for much of the world. — Olivia Goldhill, STAT, 11 Oct. 2021 After witnessing the White House’s response to the 2009 swine flu epidemic, when wealthy nations snatched up vaccine supplies, Hatchett knew a similar reaction to Covid-19 would mean disaster for much of the world. — Olivia Goldhill, Quartz, 8 Oct. 2021 Richard Besser, who was acting director of the CDC at the start of the 2009 swine flu epidemic, said both administrations deserve credit. — USA Today, 27 Apr. 2021 In 2009 when the H1N1 virus, more commonly known as the swine flu, turned into a global pandemic, Obama pulled together a team to help evaluate the United States' preparedness for such an event. — Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2020 Vaccine technology underwent a further revolution following the outbreak of the swine flu pandemic that swept the world for 19 months from January 2009. — Lara Marks, Quartz, 1 Sep. 2021 Sun was one of very few people in China to publicly accuse the government of attempting to cover up the extent of the African swine flu outbreak in 2019, which eventually killed more than 100 million pigs in the country. — Ben Westcott, CNN, 29 July 2021 Staffed with accomplished doctors and academics, the CDC, which opposed Mecher’s attempts to shut down schools during the swine flu outbreak, seems unable to mobilize in a time of need. — Washington Post, 5 May 2021

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

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Last Updated

27 Nov 2021

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“Swine flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swine%20flu. Accessed 5 Dec. 2021.

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More Definitions for swine flu

swine flu

noun

Medical Definition of swine flu

: swine influenza also : influenza of humans that is caused by a subtype (H1N1) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A) originating in swine and is marked especially by fever, sore throat, cough, chills, body aches, fatigue, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting Among the swine flu cases in the United States, none had had any contact with pigs … — Marc Lacey and Donald G. McNeil Jr., The New York Times, 25 Apr. 2009 As swine flu spreads from person to person around the world, it is most often being transmitted by coughing or sneezing … — Laura Landro, The Wall Street Journal, 29 Sept. 2009