epizooty
/ˌɛpɪˈzoʊəti/
noun
- An outbreak of disease that affects many animals of the same kind at the same time, similar to an epidemic in humans.
- The farm lost dozens of cattle in the epizooty that swept through the region.
- An epizooty of avian flu has forced the closure of several poultry markets.
- Wildlife officials are monitoring the epizooty to prevent it from spreading to endangered species.