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 fluExamples of avian influenza in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Although the current risk to humans is low, H5N1 avian influenza still very much has pandemic potential.
—
Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025
Airborne Pathogens: Emerging And Resurgent Threats Airborne pathogens remain a public health challenge, with Covid-19, novel avian influenza, measles resurgence and a severe flu season impacting IAQ considerations.
—Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The rise in prices and supply issues have been largely driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Both swine and avian influenza are strains of influenza A.
—Hanna D. Paton, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avian influenza
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Simon Williams, Time, 21 May 2025
Airborne Pathogens: Emerging And Resurgent Threats Airborne pathogens remain a public health challenge, with Covid-19, novel avian influenza, measles resurgence and a severe flu season impacting IAQ considerations.
—Sissi Liu, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The rise in prices and supply issues have been largely driven by the highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, outbreak.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 22 Apr. 2025
Both swine and avian influenza are strains of influenza A.
—Hanna D. Paton, The Conversation, 15 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for avian influenza
Cite this Entry
“Avian influenza.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/avian%20influenza. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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)
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
Barry Gewen, The New York Times Book Reviewcalled also fowl pest, fowl plague
see bird fluLove words? Need even more definitions?
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