avian influenza

American  

[ey-vee-uhn in-floo-en-zuh] / ˈeɪ vi ən ˌɪn fluˈɛn zə /

Also avian flu

noun

Pathology

1. a form of influenza that afflicts poultry and other birds, and that is transmissible to humans.

   An earlier outbreak of avian influenza had been reported in the Northeast last month.

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Etymology

Origin of avian influenza

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

What has helped is that the threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu, has faded.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Remarkably, Cal-Maine achieved these results during a time of volatile egg prices, continued vulnerability of flocks to the highly pathogenic avian influenza External link, and a weary consumer.

From Barron's • Dec. 11, 2025

However, similar temperature increases did not stop avian influenza viruses.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2025

Epidemiologists and virologists worry that avian influenza could generate a pandemic if allowed to spread and mutate.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2025

Over time mutation lets animal diseases jump to people: avian influenza becomes human influenza, bovine rinderpest becomes human measles, horsepox becomes human smallpox.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann