India Becomes Trachoma-Free, Honored by WHO

India has been recognized by the World Health Organization as successfully eliminating a highly infectious bacterial disease in the body, primarily affecting the eyes, known as trachoma. This effort puts India closer towards bettering public health and eradicating preventable diseases. This declaration was made at the 77th Regional Conference for WHO South-East Asia.

Congratulations #India for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. 👏🏾#Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease and the leading infectious cause of blindness across the 🌏. pic.twitter.com/MQLUmypuOW— World Health Organization South-East Asia (@WHOSEARO) October 8, 2024

What is Trachoma?

This is a bacterium known as Chlamydia trachomatis, which causes trachoma and leads to blindness if not treated. It forms a major disease in places that lack better sanitation and fewer clean sources of water. The route of transmission directly transmits the disease from the affected persons through contact with their eyes or nasal discharge and also indirectly from flies contacted by such secretions. At first trachoma was known as conjunctivitis disease and commonly referred to as pink eye. Trachoma can lead to repeated infections, eventually scarring the inner eyelids and causing the eyelashes to turn inward. This is referred to as trichiasis and may results in blindness as well.

eye checkup

India became one of the major success stories in terms of trachoma elimination after conducting concentrated efforts for years. Surveys conducted between 2014 and 2017 recorded only 0.7% prevalence rate of active trachoma that opened avenues for the government to declare India trachoma-free. Antibiotic treatments were dispensed-among the ones who were effected by it, to manage the disease. The WHO has included India in its 2021–2030 roadmap for the neglected tropical diseases, aiming at the eradication of 20 such diseases by 2030. India is the fourth country in Southeast Asia, after Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan, to have achieved this goal as a part of the 2021-2030 neglected tropical disease roadmap by WHO.

Inputs by Agencies

Image Source: Multiple Agencies