avian influenza

noun

: highly variable influenza A of birds caused by any of the subtypes of the causative orthomyxovirus of which some strains have been or may be transmitted to other vertebrates including humans especially after undergoing mutation

called also avian flu

compare bird flu

Examples of avian influenza in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The recent spread of H5N1 avian influenza among U.S. dairy cows highlights the urgency of this need. —Patrick Skerrett, STAT, 18 May 2024

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus has been found in 36 herds in nine states, and detected in samples of commercially sold, pasteurized milk. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2024

What is bird flu? Bird flu is the non-scientific name for avian influenza, a virus that infects waterfowl, turkeys and other birds. —Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024

Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is caused by subtypes of the influenza A virus. —Amber Sayer, Health, 8 May 2024

By Alice Park May 3, 2024 1:47 PM EDT Bird flu, or avian influenza, can be deadly in birds but normally doesn’t infect people. —Alice Park, TIME, 3 May 2024

The assessment did not require an avian influenza test, only an expert evaluation. —Clara Migoya, The Arizona Republic, 3 May 2024

While about 20% of milk sold in stores contains fragments of the avian influenza virus, those viruses are not active, according to the latest FDA tests. —Alice Park, TIME, 3 May 2024

Colombia restricted the import of beef and beef products coming from U.S. states where dairy cows have tested positive for avian influenza as of April 15, according to the USDA. —Reuters, NBC News, 29 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

avian influenza

noun

variants or avian flu

: influenza of birds that is caused by any of several subtypes (such as H5N2 or H7N7) of an orthomyxovirus (species Influenza A virus of the genus Influenzavirus A) of which some strains have been transmitted to other vertebrates including humans especially after undergoing mutation

Most cases of avian influenza infection in humans have resulted from contact with infected poultry (e.g., domesticated chicken, ducks, and turkeys) or surfaces contaminated with secretion/excretions from infected birds.

—The Tennessee Tribune (Nashville)

And as you read this, millions of birds are being eliminated in Asia and elsewhere in an effort to contain avian flu.

—Barry Gewen, The New York Times Book Review

called also fowl pest, fowl plague

see bird flu