Estimating the Economic Impact and Assessing Owners' Knowledge and Practices of Epizootic Lymphangitis in Equine Cart Animals in Central and South Gondar Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia.
Authors: Molla Amsalu Misgie, Fentahun Tewodros, Jemberu Wudu T
Journal: Frontiers in veterinary science
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Epizootic Lymphangitis in Ethiopian Cart Animals Epizootic lymphangitis, a chronic fungal disease affecting working equids, represents a significant but manageable threat to livelihoods in northwest Ethiopia, where cart animals form the backbone of rural transport and trade. Researchers interviewed 274 cart owners across Central and South Gondar zones to quantify both the financial burden of the disease and owners' understanding of prevention and treatment, finding that mortality accounted for roughly half of total losses (ETB 4364 per household annually, with affected owners losing approximately ETB 9835 per year). Despite just over half of respondents (51.2%) demonstrating adequate knowledge of epizootic lymphangitis, fewer than half (45.2%) actually implemented appropriate control practices—a knowledge-to-action gap significantly influenced by education level and geographic location. The substantial economic impact, combined with widespread gaps in both awareness and biosecurity practices, indicates that targeted extension programmes addressing disease transmission and management could yield meaningful returns for cart-owning communities. For equine professionals working in resource-limited settings, these findings underline the importance of client education as a fundamental control measure, particularly focusing on practical prevention strategies suited to working-animal contexts.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Epizootic lymphangitis causes substantial financial impact on working equine operations in Ethiopia; mortality is the primary economic driver rather than treatment or loss of working capacity
- •Owner education level directly correlates with disease management practices—targeted awareness campaigns should be prioritized in lower-education populations
- •Knowledge alone is insufficient; only 45% of owners with good knowledge translate this into good practice, indicating need for practical, accessible control measures alongside education
Key Findings
- •Average annual economic loss per cart owner was ETB 8447, with mortality accounting for ETB 4364 (51.6% of total losses)
- •Only 51.2% of cart owners had good knowledge of epizootic lymphangitis despite 45.2% reporting good prevention practices
- •Educational level and town of residence were significantly associated with owner knowledge (P < 0.05)
- •Knowledge level and residence significantly predicted prevention practice adoption (P < 0.05)