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hog cholera
noun
: a highly infectious often fatal disease of swine caused by a flavivirus (species Classical swine fever virus of the genus Pestivirus) and characterized by fever, loss of appetite, weakness, erythematous lesions especially in light-skinned animals, and severe leukopenia
Examples of hog cholera in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
His parents were farmers from southern Ohio whose fortunes were demolished by an outbreak of hog cholera.
—David James, Anchorage Daily News, 19 Aug. 2023
The symptoms are indistinguishable from those of hog cholera, item No. 10 on the al Qaeda bioweapon wish list: vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and a distinctive blue—purple discoloration of the snout, tail, and ears, typically followed swiftly by death.
—Nicola Twille, Wired, 6 July 2021
Stem rust, rice blast, foot-and-mouth disease, avian flu, hog cholera.
—Nicola Twille, Wired, 6 July 2021
Integral to the ecosystem, the species can eat the diseased remains of animals that might otherwise carry sicknesses, such as hog cholera or anthrax bacteria.
—Jordyn Hermani, Indianapolis Star, 13 July 2018
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Word History
First Known Use
1856, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near hog cholera
Cite this Entry
“Hog cholera.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hog%20cholera. Accessed 18 Dec. 2024.
Kids Definition
hog cholera
noun
: a highly infectious often fatal virus disease of swine
Medical Definition
hog cholera
noun
: a highly infectious often fatal disease of swine caused by a flavivirus of the genus Pestivirus (species Classical swine fever virus) and characterized by fever, loss of appetite, weakness, erythematous lesions especially in light-skinned animals, and severe leukopenia
called also swine fever
see african swine feverMore from Merriam-Webster on hog cholera
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about hog cholera
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