epidemic zone

[/ˌɛpɪˈdɛmɪk zoʊn/]
nounpl: epidemic zones
zona epidêmica
1. A geographic area where an epidemic disease is actively spreading or has a high prevalence rate
The health department declared the region an epidemic zone after the outbreak of dengue fever.
O departamento de saúde declarou a região uma zona epidêmica após o surto de dengue.
2. An area designated by public health authorities as requiring special disease control measures and surveillance
Travel restrictions were imposed in the epidemic zone to limit disease transmission.
Restrições de viagem foram impostas na zona epidêmica para limitar a transmissão da doença.
The term 'epidemic zone' became increasingly prominent in Brazilian and global health discourse during disease outbreaks like Zika (2015-2016) and COVID-19 (2020-2021). In Brazil, such designations carry significant public health and administrative implications, affecting local economy, movement restrictions, and resource allocation. The term is used formally by ANVISA (National Health Surveillance Agency) and other health authorities.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
outbreak areadisease hotspotaffected regionendemic area
Antonyms / Antônimos
disease-free zonenon-endemic area

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
zona epidêmica
Standard term used in health agencies and official communications
São Paulo
zona de surto
Alternative term sometimes used in local health bulletins
Rio de Janeiro
área de epidemia
Common variant in regional health documents
Portugal
zona epidêmica
Same as Brazilian Portuguese; formal health terminology

Related Words

pandemicoutbreakcontainmentquarantinedisease surveillanceepidemiology

Related Idioms & Phrases

declare a zone epidemic
establish containment in an epidemic zone
expand the epidemic zone
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