Study on Epidemiology and Socioeconomic Impact of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Carthorses in Southwestern Shoa

A study was conducted between December 2008 and April 2009 on 705 carthorses in three towns of Southwestern Ethiopia namely Sebeta, Asgori and Woliso to investigate the Epidemiology and Socioeconomic impact of Epizootic lymphangitis (EL). The study has revealed an overall prevalence of 25.1% (177/705). There was no statistically significant (X 2 =3.88, P> 0.05) difference on the occurrence of the disease in the three districts. The highest prevalence being observed at Woliso with 27.9% and the lowest was at Sebeta with 20.2%. The result of histopathological and mycological examinations has revealed characte ristic features of HCF. Result of differential leukocyte count had shown a statistical significant difference across the severity of the disease and neutrophil count (r=0.87, F=6.08, P<0.005) while lymphocyte count were inversely related to the severity st age of the disease (r=0.94.F=23.28, P<0.001). The yeast forms of Histoplasma capsulatum var. farciminosum were isolated on the sabouraud's dextrose agar. The result of questionnaire survey from 35 carthorse owners indicates that EL was the first and the ma jor important disease of carthorses by creating a negative impact on the economy of the carters. Despite its impact, awareness on the transmission and control mechanism of the disease was not uniformly known by the carthorse owners. Therefore, further stud y on the extent of the disease and educating the owners both on the disease and its way of transmission was recommended.