Panzootic

panzootic [‚pan·zō′äd·ik]

(veterinary medicine)

Affecting many animals of different species.

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Panzootic 

the highest degree of intensity of an epizootic disease, characterized by an unusually wide distribution of infectious disease accompanied by high morbidity of animals over extensive regions (an entire country, several countries, or several continents). Such highly contagious diseases as foot-and-mouth disease, swine plague, Newcastle disease, and fowl plague are often panzootic. Panzootic diseases have a short incubation period and a simple mechanism for transmitting the causative agent (respiratory system or, less frequently, the alimentary canal). Afflicted animals subsequently do not build up a sufficiently stable immunity. Panzootic infections include those whose causative agents are characterized by plurality.

To a certain degree panzootics are caused by social and economic factors, which determine the intensity of economic connections within a country and between countries. Changes in livestock maintenance (overcrowding of animals, the establishment of specialized farming regions) also promote the development of a panzootic.

The successful control of a panzootic depends on how much is known about the disease, the availability of effective diagnostic procedures and preventive measures, and the timely and comprehensive application of anti-epizootic measures.

I. A. BAKULOV