Epizootic

Epizootic

In epizoology, an epizootic (from Greek "epi-" upon + "zoion" animal) is a disease that appears as new cases in a given animal population, during a given period, at a rate that substantially exceeds what is "expected" based on recent experience ("i.e." a sharp elevation in the incidence rate). Epidemic is the analogous term applied to human populations. High population density is a major contributing factor to epizootics. Aquaculture is an industry sometimes plagued by disease because of the large number of fish confined to a small area.

Defining an epizootic can be subjective, depending in part on what is "expected". An epizootic may be: a) restricted to a specific locale (an outbreak), b) general (an "epizootic") or c) widespread (panzootic). Because it is based on what is "expected" or thought normal, a few cases of a very rare disease (like a TSE outbreak in a Cervid population) might be classified as an "epizootic," while many cases of a common disease (like lymphocystis in Esocids) would not.

Common diseases that occur at a constant but relatively high rate in the population are said to be "enzootic." An example of an enzootic disease would be the influenza virus in some bird populations [http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/EID/vol12no01/05-1024.htm] or, at a lower incidence, the Type IVb strain of VHS in certain Atlantic fish populations. [http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/Viral-Hemorrhagic-Septicemia-Fact-Sheet-11-9-2006_178081_7.pdf]

An example of an epizootic would be the 1990 outbreak of Newcastle disease virus in double-crested cormorant colonies on the Great Lakes that resulted in the death of some 10,000 birds. [http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/field_manual/chapter_21.pdf]

Zambia EUS outbreak

On September 14, 2007, epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS), a mysterious disease killed hundreds of sore-covered fish in River Zambezi. The Agriculture Minister of Zambia, Ben Kapita, asked experts to investigate the outbreak to probe the cause to find out if the disease can be transmitted to humans. [ [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_kmafp/is_200709/ai_n19522812 Zambia warns against fish killed by mysterious disease] ]

ee also

*Epidemic
*Enzootic
*Epizoology
*Panzootic
*Synzootic
*Mathematical modelling in epidemiology

References


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  • epizootic — EPIZOÓTIC, Ă, epizootici, ce, adj. Referitor la epizootie. – Din fr. épizootique. Trimis de LauraGellner, 13.09.2007. Sursa: DEX 98  epizoótic adj. m. (sil. zo o ), pl. epizoótici; f. sg. epizoótică, pl …   Dicționar Român

  • Epizootic — ep i*zo*[ o]t ic, n. [PJC] Epizootic Ep i*zo*[ o]t ic, Epizooty Ep i*zo [ o]*ty, n. [F. [ e]pizo[ o]tie.] 1. A disease attacking many animals at the same time; an epizootic disease. [1913 Webster] 2. A murrain; an epidemic influenza among horses …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epizootic — ep i*zo*[ o]t ic, n. [PJC] Epizootic Ep i*zo*[ o]t ic, Epizooty Ep i*zo [ o]*ty, n. [F. [ e]pizo[ o]tie.] 1. A disease attacking many animals at the same time; an epizootic disease. [1913 Webster] 2. A murrain; an epidemic influenza among horses …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epizootic — [ep΄izō ät′ik] adj. [Fr épizootique < épizootie (formed by analogy with épidémie: see EPIDEMIC) < EPIZOON] epidemic among animals n. an epizootic disease …   English World dictionary

  • Epizootic — Ep i*zo*[ o]t ic, a. [Cf. F. [ e]pizo[ o]tique.] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Of or pertaining to an epizo[ o]n. [1913 Webster] 2. (Geol.) Containing fossil remains; said of rocks, formations, mountains, and the like. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Epizo[ o]tic… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epizootic — animal equivalent of EPIDEMIC (Cf. epidemic), 1748, from Fr. épizootique, from épizootie, irregularly formed from Gk. epi (see EPI (Cf. epi )) + zoon (see VITAL (Cf. vital)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • epizootic — 1. noun /ɛpɪ.zəˈwɒtɪk,ɛpɪ.zoʊˈɒtɪk,ɛpɪˈzuːdɪk/ a) An occurrence of a disease or disorder in a population of non human animals at a frequency higher than that expected in a given time period. Compare epidemic. At the same time as an epidemic of… …   Wiktionary

  • Epizootic — An epidemic outbreak of disease in an animal population, with the implication often that it may extend to humans. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (the CDC) define epizootic as An outbreak or epidemic of disease in animal… …   Medical dictionary

  • epizootic — noun Etymology: French épizootique, from épizootie such an outbreak, from épi (as in épidemie epidemic) + Greek zōiotēs animal nature, from zōē life more at quick Date: 1748 an outbreak of disease affecting many animals of one kind at the same… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • epizootic — epizootically, adv. /ep euh zoh ot ik/, Vet. Med. adj. 1. (of diseases) spreading quickly among animals. n. 2. an epizootic disease. [1740 50; EPI + ZO(O) + OTIC] * * * …   Universalium

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