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
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The recommendation coincides with a new report finding asymptomatic bird flu infection in some workers. Erika Edwards, NBC News, 7 Nov. 2024 The strain of bird flu virus in the pig is slightly different than the one that has been plaguing dairy cows in California and other states, which is known as B3.13. Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 31 Oct. 2024 Since 2022, the bird flu virus has resulted in the culling of over 100 million poultry birds in the nation's worst-ever bird flu outbreak, and this year 36 people have tested positive for the virus. Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 The strain of bird flu virus in the pig is slightly different from the one that has been plaguing dairy cows in California and other states, which is known as B3.13. Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2024 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

Dictionary Entries Near bird flu

Cite this Entry

“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 24 Nov. 2024.

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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