swamp fever

noun

, Pathology, Veterinary Pathology.

1. leptospirosis.
2. Also called infectious anemia of horses. an equine viral disease characterized by weakness and recurring fever, transmitted by contaminated food and water.
3. malaria.

swamp fever

noun

1. Also calledequine infectious anaemia a viral disease of horses characterized by recurring fever, staggering gait, and general debility
2. another name for malaria

Word History and Origins

Origin of swamp fever¹

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50

Example Sentences

He says Greg Pence is running on nepotism, which he likened to “swamp fever.”

From Seattle Times

Mud fever, sewerman’s flu, swamp fever — those are just a few of the monikers for the illness caused by the bacterium Leptospira.

From New York Times

It is the first recorded case of swamp fever in the UK this year.

From BBC

Better known as swamp fever, EIA is a viral infection related to the human HIV virus, and for which there is no cure or vaccine.

From The Guardian

The Coggins test is for equine infectious anemia, formerly known as swamp fever because it is transmitted from horse to horse by insect bites.

From New York Times