Trachoma

11 Nov 2024 13:10:38 pm

Tags : Trachoma

Topic: Diseases

Why in the news?

The World Health Organization has validated India as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness globally. Though trachoma is preventable, blindness from trachoma is extremely difficult to reverse.
India joins Nepal and Myanmar in the WHO South-East Asia Region and 19 other countries globally that have previously achieved this feat. Trachoma continues to be a public health problem in 39 countries and is responsible for the blindness of about 1.9 million people.

Source: The Hindu

About Trachoma:

It is a disease of the eye caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis.
It is a public health problem in 42 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.
Blindness from trachoma is irreversible.
It is a neglected tropical disease and the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness.
Transmission:
- Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and by flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
- With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye.
- This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea.
To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy.
- The SAFE strategy includes: Surgery to treat the blinding stage (trachomatous trichiasis); Antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly the antibiotic azithromycin; Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation.
The 17 other countries that have eliminated trachoma are: Benin, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Ghana, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Togo and Vanuatu.