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
The team contacted the local public health department and got permission to test for bird flu virus.
—
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
What makes the outbreak so concerning is that the bird flu virus has jumped from birds to other animals, including cows.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024
Related: Large amount of bird flu virus in milk suggests asymptomatic cows are infected with H5N1
That may be starting to change.
—Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 10 May 2024
Long said the food industry has safeguards to ensure that poultry infected with the bird flu are not sold on the market.
—Amber Sayer, Health, 8 May 2024
The Denver Post compiled the latest information on H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, the bird flu virus that has jumped to cows in at least nine states — including Colorado — and has infected a small number of people.
—Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 8 May 2024
Testing has shown that pasteurization is effective in inactivating the bird flu virus.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024
Dairy workers have been advised to wear protective gear at work that will shield them from the bird flu as the disease spreads to cattle across several U.S. states.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 May 2024
The bird flu that's now spreading among cows doesn't yet appear to pose an imminent threat to most people.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 3 May 2024
Susanne Rust, Los Angeles Times, 14 May 2024
What makes the outbreak so concerning is that the bird flu virus has jumped from birds to other animals, including cows.
—Ken Alltucker, USA TODAY, 10 May 2024
Related: Large amount of bird flu virus in milk suggests asymptomatic cows are infected with H5N1
That may be starting to change.
—Sarah Owermohle, STAT, 10 May 2024
Long said the food industry has safeguards to ensure that poultry infected with the bird flu are not sold on the market.
—Amber Sayer, Health, 8 May 2024
The Denver Post compiled the latest information on H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza, the bird flu virus that has jumped to cows in at least nine states — including Colorado — and has infected a small number of people.
—Meg Wingerter, The Denver Post, 8 May 2024
Testing has shown that pasteurization is effective in inactivating the bird flu virus.
—Stephanie Brown, Verywell Health, 7 May 2024
Dairy workers have been advised to wear protective gear at work that will shield them from the bird flu as the disease spreads to cattle across several U.S. states.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 6 May 2024
The bird flu that's now spreading among cows doesn't yet appear to pose an imminent threat to most people.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 3 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'bird flu.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Bird flu.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bird%20flu. Accessed 17 May. 2024.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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