A cross sectional study was conducted from September 2011 to January 2012 to assess the socioeconomic impact
of epizootic lymphangitis (EZL) on the livelihood of cart mule owners in Bahir Dar city. A questionnaire survey was
conducted among 109 randomly selected cart mule owners. Qualitative data were collected through 6 focus group
discussions and 6 key informants’ interviews. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were undertaken. EZL-infected
mules were found to have significantly less capacity for working hours, load carrying and income generation compared
to healthy mules. Despite the fact that owners incurred treatment costs for EZL-infected mules, they were not satisfied
by the outcome. The occurrence of lesions, foul odours and transmissibility resulted in criticism and neglect for
individuals working with diseased mules. This has affected the emotional wellbeing and working motivation of cart mule
owners. EZL has imposed significant socioeconomic effects on the cart mule owning population in Bahir Dar town.
Therefore, participatory and integrated disease control measures should be set up and implemented by concerned
stakeholders.