pestilence
noun uk/ˈpes.tɪ.ləns/ us/ˈpes.təl.əns/
[ C or U ] formal瘟疫，疫病
any very serious infectious disease that spreads quickly and kills large numbers of people
[ S ]毒瘤，日益严重的问题
a serious and growing problem
The report states that vandalism is a pestilence that must be stamped out. 该报告说明，恶意破坏行为是一种毒瘤，必须铲除。