OBJECTIVE: Lymphatic Filariasis (LF), an eradicable infectious disease endemic in developing countries, is associated with significant morbidity. LF is the second leading cause of permanent and long-term disability worldwide. The total global prevalence of the disease is 120 million with over a third of those affected having severe chronic disease. We attempted to estimate the actual disease burden in three countries, with varying levels of disease prevalence, so that the impact of LF in these countries can be better understood. METHODS: We constructed an economic model of work lost due to LF in three countries where it is prevalent (India, Ghana, and Thailand). Data sources included published studies on productivity among individuals who experience LFs debilitating manifestations in the form of acute adenolymphangitis [(ADL, or chills and fevers often with swelling of the affected limb and associated lymph node inflammation)] and chronic lymphatic obstruction (which can lead to hydrocele and elephantiasis). Wages used for our calculations were the minimum agricultural wages obtained from the International Labor Organization and converted to 2005 USD. The time horizon used was one year. RESULTS: The estimated period prevalence of chronic lymphatic obstruction secondary to LF among people between the ages of 15-65 years in India, Ghana and Thailand was estimated at approximately 77,779,036; 1,917,923; and 549,733 respectively. Wages lost attributable to lymphatic obstruction were estimated to be $4.5billion; $261million; and $174million respectively. Additional annual wages lost attributable to ADL are approximately $22million; $1million; and $855,150 in these countries respectively. CONCLUSION: The model demonstrated that LF results in significant and costly work impairments. As one of only six global diseases that meet the criteria for being eradicable our research on the economic impact of LF suggests that policymakers should make investments in initiatives aimed at preventing and treating this disease.