After Nepal and Myanmar, India is now the third nation in the WHO South-East Asia Region to eradicate trachoma

Regarding the eradication of trachoma:

What is Trachoma?

Definition: An infectious bacterial eye condition brought on by Chlamydia trachomatis.

Transmission: Transmitted through direct contact (hands, garments, linens) and agents such as flies that carry secretions from infected eyes/nose.

Reservoir: In endemic communities, children are the primary carriers of transmission.

Worldwide and Indian Information:

Worldwide responsibility:

Present in 38 nations.

Impacts 1.9 million individuals with vision loss or blindness.

In 2023, there were 130,746 operations and 32.9 million antibiotic therapies performed worldwide.

Recently, the WHO has validated Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Mauritania for eliminating trachoma as a public health issue.

India:

• Ongoing monitoring via NPCBVI since 2019.
• National Trichiasis Survey performed in 200 districts (2021–24).
• Proclaimed trachoma-free in October 2023, confirmed in May 2025.

Indicators and Consequences:

Initial: Redness in eyes, secretions, discomfort in eyes, light sensitivity.

Advanced: Trachomatous trichiasis (inward-growing eyelashes rubbing against the cornea) causes corneal opacity, subsequently resulting in irreversible blindness.

Women are four times more susceptible to being affected because of their constant involvement in caregiving roles.

Transmission and Risk Elements:

Proximity in overcrowded households: Residing in tight spaces raises the chances of direct spread of eye and nasal secretions.

Inadequate hygiene, insufficient water, and sanitation: Dirty surroundings facilitate the survival and transmission of bacteria because of rare face washing and improper waste management.

Primarily transmitted among preschool-aged kids in endemic areas: Young children often act as carriers due to continual infections and close contact.

Flies serve as carriers in dirty environments: Eye-attracted flies convey bacteria from contaminated waste to others in unsanitary conditions.

Distribution:

Native to Africa, South Asia, certain regions of Latin America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Twenty-one nations confirmed by WHO to have eradicated it, such as India, China, Nepal, Pakistan, Iran, Morocco, and Vietnam.