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

Nationwide, a dozen eggs sold for $4.95 on average in January, up from $2.52 a year earlier, as avian influenza has wiped out poultry flocks and slammed into domestic egg supplies. —Alexandra Byrne, NBC News, 5 Mar. 2025

This is why raw food poses some danger and should be recalled if contaminated with avian influenza. —Melissa Rudy, Fox News, 3 Mar. 2025

The federal government plans to purchase eggs from other nations as part of a five-pronged strategy backed by $1 billion to combatting a strain of avian influenza that hit in late 2021, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday. —Kate Gibson, CBS News, 26 Feb. 2025

Since the outbreak in dairy cattle began, infection with avian influenza virus type A (H5) has been confirmed in 69 people in the United States. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 24 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