In News:

At the 78th World Health Assembly in Geneva (May 2025), the World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized Papua New Guinea (PNG) and India for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. This marks a significant milestone in global efforts to combat neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).

What is Trachoma?

• Cause: Bacterial infection by Chlamydia trachomatis
• Transmission:
  • Direct contact with infected eye/nasal discharges (via hands, clothes, bedding)
  • Flies that have come into contact with infected discharges
• Reservoir: Predominantly spread among children in endemic regions
• Symptoms:
  • Early: Red eyes, discharge, pain, light sensitivity
  • Advanced:Trachomatous trichiasis – inward-turning eyelashes causing corneal damage and irreversible blindness

Risk Factors & Epidemiology:

• Major Risk Factors:
  • Poor hygiene and sanitation
  • Overcrowded housing conditions
  • Limited access to clean water
• Gender Disparity: Women are 4 times more affected due to caregiving-related exposure
• Global Burden (as of 2023):
  • Endemic in 38 countries
  • Affects 1.9 million people with visual impairment/blindness
  • Over 130,000 surgeries and 32.9 million antibiotic treatments administered globally in 2023

Trachoma Elimination in Papua New Guinea (2025):

• Validation: Based on detailed epidemiological data and surveillance (2015–2020)
• Key Findings:
  • Presence of mild active trachoma in children but negligible trichiasis
  • No need for mass drug administration or surgical interventions
• Intervention Strategy:Emphasis on surveillance, community-level assessments, andtargeted response
• Support & Partnerships:WHO, Fred Hollows Foundation, Australian DFAT, PNG Eye Care, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, among others
• Significance: First NTD eliminated in PNG; part of WHO’s NTD Road Map 2021–2030

Trachoma Elimination in India (Certified in May 2025):

• Timeline:
  • Declared trachoma-free in October 2023
  • WHO Certification in May 2025
• India’s Strategy:
  • Implemented active surveillance through NPCBVI since 2019
  • National Trichiasis Survey (2021–2024) covered 200 districts
• Regional Achievement:India is the third country in WHO South-East Asia Region, after Nepal and Myanmar, to eliminate trachoma

Global Status of Trachoma Elimination:

• Countries Validated for Elimination: 22 countries including India, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Iran, Morocco, Vietnam, Mauritania, and PNG
• Part of Broader NTD Goals: WHO supports member countries to eliminate at least one NTD under the 2021–2030 roadmap

In News:

The World Health Organization (WHO) has now recognised that India has successfully eliminated trachoma, a bacterial infection that affects the eyes, as a public health problem.

WHO Declaration:

• India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem (2024).
• Third country in the South-East Asia Region to achieve this milestone.

Trachoma Overview:

• Bacterial infection caused by Chlamydia Trachomatis.
• Contagious; spreads through contact with infected secretions.
• Can lead to irreversible blindness if untreated.
• Considered a neglected tropical disease.

Global Impact:

• WHO estimates 150 million affected worldwide; 6 million at risk of blindness.
• Most prevalent in underprivileged communities with poor living conditions.

Historical Context in India:

• Leading cause of blindness in the 1950s-60s.
• National Trachoma Control Program launched in 1963.
• Control efforts integrated into the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).

Statistics:

• Blindness due to Trachoma was 5% in 1971; now reduced to less than 1%.
• Implementation of the WHO SAFE strategy (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial hygiene, Environmental cleanliness).

Milestones:

• India declared free from infective Trachoma in 2017.
• Continued surveillance for cases from 2019 to 2024.

National Trachomatous Trichiasis (TT) Survey:

• Conducted in 200 endemic districts (2021-2024) under NPCBVI.
• Mandated by WHO to confirm elimination status.