bird flu

noun

: avian influenza

specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus 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

While positive wastewater samples have been found in seven other states, California is the only one that has yet to report a bird flu outbreak in a herd of dairy cows. —Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2024

The commentary comes as the United States grapples with the threat of a potential bird flu outbreak and rising dengue fever risks. —Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 28 June 2024

Further reading Go deeper: H5N1 bird flu Here are the bird flu questions top scientists would like to see answered. —Rachel Cohrs Zhang, STAT, 27 June 2024

That’s how many herds of cattle across the US have tested positive for bird flu, a highly contagious infection that appears to be spreading through contact with raw milk. —Alexandra Banner, CNN, 26 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

bird flu

noun

ˈbərd- 

: avian influenza

specifically : severe often fatal influenza A caused by strains of a subtype (H5N1) of the causative orthomyxovirus that have produced epidemics in domestic birds especially in Asia with sporadic associated human infections