Panzootic

Panzootic is a term used in veterinary epidemiology to describe an epidemic of disease that has spread over a wide geographic area, affecting multiple species of animals. It is analogous to the term pandemic in human medicine. A panzootic is a disease that affects a significant proportion of a population of animals across a vast geographical range, often crossing continents or oceans.

The term emphasizes the extensive spread and impact on animal populations. Examples of diseases that have occurred in panzootic fashion include avian influenza, rabies, and certain types of foot-and-mouth disease. The factors contributing to a panzootic often include the movement of animals, trade, and environmental changes that facilitate the spread of pathogens.

Identifying and tracking panzootics is crucial for animal health management, as they can have substantial economic consequences, impacting livestock, wildlife, and even posing risks to human health through zoonotic transmission. Veterinary public health systems work to monitor disease outbreaks and implement control measures to prevent or mitigate the spread of panzootic events.