Trachoma Overview
- Cause: Bacterial infection by Chlamydia trachomatis.
- Transmission: Spread through contact with eye/nose secretions, contaminated objects, or flies.
- Impact: Chronic infection leads to trichiasis (eyelashes turning inward), causing corneal scarring and irreversible blindness if untreated.
- Global Burden: A leading infectious cause of blindness, primarily affecting marginalized communities with poor sanitation.
India’s Achievement
- WHO Declaration: India eliminated trachoma as a public health problem in 2024 (year inferred; user did not specify).
- Regional Context: Third country in WHO’s South-East Asia Region (SEARO) after Nepal (2018) and Myanmar (2023).
- Historical Prevalence: Blindness due to trachoma dropped from 5% in 1971 to <1% in 2024, meeting WHO’s elimination criteria:
- Active trachoma in children <5%.
- Trichiasis prevalence <0.2% in adults.
Strategies for Elimination
- SAFE Strategy:
- Surgery for trichiasis.
- Antibiotics (azithromycin mass distribution).
- Facial cleanliness campaigns.
- Environmental improvements (sanitation, water access).
- National Programs: Integrated into the National Programme for Control of Blindness (NPCB, launched 1976) and aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission (cleanliness drive).
Previous NTD Eliminations in India
- Guinea Worm Disease: Eliminated in 2000 (certified by WHO).
- Yaws: Officially eliminated in 2006 (validated by WHO in 2016). The user’s mention of 2016 likely refers to WHO’s regional verification for SEARO.
Significance and Challenges
- Public Health Impact: Trachoma elimination marks India’s progress toward universal eye health and SDG 3 (health for all).
- Remaining Work: Sustained surveillance to prevent resurgence, address other causes of blindness (e.g., cataracts), and tackle neglected tropical diseases like leprosy.
Global Context
- Trachoma remains endemic in 44 countries (2024 data), mostly in Africa and the Middle East. India’s success highlights the effectiveness of multi-sectoral collaboration and the SAFE strategy.
