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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
With egg prices soaring and ongoing concerns of bird flu contamination, farm vendors in Carroll, Harford and Howard counties are selling more eggs than ever. Thomas Goodwin Smith, Baltimore Sun, 27 Feb. 2025 See map As bird flu continues to spread, is there a vaccine for humans? Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA TODAY, 27 Feb. 2025 The administration accidentally fired civil servants who were responsible for safeguarding the country’s nuclear weapons, preventing a bird flu epidemic and overseeing the nation’s electricity supply. Joseph P. Tomain, The Conversation, 27 Feb. 2025 Last May, the administration of former President Joe Biden allocated more than $800 million to combat bird flu in livestock. Reuters, NBC News, 26 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for bird flu

Word History

First Known Use

1972, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bird flu was in 1972

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Cite this Entry

“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.

Medical Definition

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

More from Merriam-Webster on bird flu

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