swine flu

[ swahyn floo ]

noun

, Pathology.

1. a form of influenza that afflicts pigs.
2. a form of influenza that afflicts humans by infection with a virus once thought to be very similar to the influenza virus found in North American pigs.

swine flu

/ swīn /

1. A highly contagious form of influenza seen in swine, caused by a virus of the family Orthomyxoviridae. The infection is communicable to humans and caused a worldwide epidemic in 1918.

Word History and Origins

Origin of swine flu¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The 2009 swine flu strain arose from the recombination of several strains over years to become more transmissible in humans.

From Salon

For example, when H1N1, also known as swine flu, emerged in Mexico in the spring of 2009, tens of thousands of mild cases went undetected, causing health authorities to overestimate the severity of the disease.

From Salon

The initial cause of it can be traced back to 2009 and the swine flu pandemic.

From BBC

The report said the UK government and its advisers had been “lulled” into a false sense of security by the swine flu pandemic of 2011, which turned out to be mild.

From BBC

Dr. Fauci served under seven presidents, shepherding the nation through infectious disease threats including AIDS, swine flu, anthrax and Ebola.

From New York Times