Crossword Genius

Rife in the area when one's out of worming medicine (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

endemic

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'rife' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are adjectives. Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for endemic that I've seen before include "Commonly found in particular place - may be disease" , "(Of a disease) prevalent in a group or area" , "Confined to (disease)" , "Commonly found in a particular country or people" , "Peculiar to local area" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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