NEWS – The World Health Organization (WHO) has acknowledged India’s success in eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. This achievement marks a significant milestone in combating this eye infection that has plagued millions globally.

TRACHOMA

• Cause: Trachoma is a bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis.
• Global Impact: It is a public health problem in 42 countries and causes blindness or visual impairment in about 1.9 million people.
• Irreversible Blindness: Once blindness occurs due to trachoma, it is permanent.
• Neglected Tropical Disease: Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide.

How Trachoma Spreads

• Personal Contact: The infection spreads via hands, clothes, bedding, or hard surfaces that come into contact with the discharge from an infected person’s eyes or nose.
• Flies: Flies that have touched an infected person’s discharge can also transmit the infection.
• Repeated Infections: Continuous episodes of infection over the years may lead to the eyelashes turning inward, causing the eyelashes to scrape against the cornea, leading to pain and possible permanent damage.

WHO’s SAFE Strategy for Trachoma Elimination

• Surgery: To correct trachomatous trichiasis, the blinding stage of trachoma.
• Antibiotics: Especially azithromycin, to clear the infection.
• Facial Cleanliness: Promotes hygiene to reduce transmission.
• Environmental Improvement: Focuses on improving access to clean water and sanitation facilities to prevent infection.

Countries That Have Eliminated Trachoma

Seventeen other countries besides India have successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem:

• Africa: Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Togo
• Asia: Cambodia, China, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia
• Americas: Mexico
• Oceania: Vanuatu