swine fever

noun

1

: hog cholera

2

: a highly contagious disease of swine that is endemic to sub-Saharan Africa and usually occurs in a fatal acute form which resembles hog cholera and is marked especially by fever, anorexia, lethargy, vomiting, and bleeding internally and under the skin

Note: Swine fever is caused by a double-stranded DNA virus (species African swine fever virus of the genus Asfivirus, family Asfarviridae) and has spread to and caused epidemics in the western hemisphere.

called also African swine fever

Examples of swine fever in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Each agent carefully inspects the flowers, looking for exotic pests or animal diseases such as avian flu or African swine fever. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 13 Feb. 2025

Florida scientists were optimistic about the possibility of breeding sweatier Brangus cattle, and Indian scientists investigated the resistance to African swine fever among indigenous Doom pigs. —Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 2 Sep. 2024

But in recent years, the wild boar population has flourished at the expense of pigs, spreading swine fever and causing public nuisance by feasting on garbage. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024

It’s since proved a menace among pigs—for instance, in 2022, several countries suspended Italian pork imports over the spread of African swine fever. —Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 9 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for swine fever

• unbeliever
• achiever
• believer
• deceiver
• perceiver
• receiver
• reliever
• retriever
• transceiver
• cleaver
• leaver
• weaver

Medical Definition

swine fever

noun

1

: hog cholera

2

: african swine fever