1N-COUNT [oft n NOUN](疾病的)流行,传播 If there is an epidemic of a particular disease somewhere, it affects a very large number of people there and spreads quickly to other areas. (疾病的)流行,传播
2N-COUNT (坏事的)盛行,泛滥,猖獗 If an activity that you disapprove of is increasing or spreading rapidly, you can refer to this as an epidemic of that activity. (坏事的)盛行,泛滥,猖獗 [disapproval]
...an epidemic of serial killings. [+ of]
连环杀人现象的猖獗
Drug experts say it could spell the end of the crack epidemic.