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

What To Know Four cats in Oregon have been infected by avian influenza in the past two months, including two others in Washington County, according to a release by the WSDA. —Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 16 Feb. 2025

There have been confirmed outbreaks of avian influenza in eight states, including California. —Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2025

Egg prices have skyrocketed nationwide due to the loss of many egg-laying chickens due to the avian influenza (commonly known as the bird flu). —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 Feb. 2025

The recent outbreak of avian influenza in the United States was first detected in 2022, but has picked up steam over the last year, decimating poultry farms nationwide, killing tens of millions of birds and driving up the price of eggs. —Suzy Khimm, NBC News, 11 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for avian influenza

• parainfluenza
• cadenza

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