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India free from trachoma: India, which has been struggling with trachoma for a long time, has finally got freedom. After Nepal and Myanmar, India has now become the third country in Southeast Asia to eliminate this disease. The World Health Organization has congratulated India for this achievement.
These diseases were also eradicated from their roots
WHO congratulated India as well as Bhutan and Maldives for achieving the target of elimination of various diseases. Additionally, WHO also honored Indonesia, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand for reducing under-5 mortality, neonatal mortality and stillbirth rates. India has already achieved success in eradicating diseases like plague, leprosy and polio. This now also includes trachoma.
What is trachoma?
Trachoma is actually an eye disease which can make the patient blind if not treated on time. It is an infectious disease caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia trachomatis. In this infection, the inner surface of the person's eyelids starts becoming rough. This can cause persistent eye pain, swelling, watering, blurred vision, corneal damage, which can lead to blindness. Some people may have frequent infections that cause the eyelids to turn inward and completely block vision.
This infection is dangerous
According to medical experts, this infection spreads from person to person and even by flies and it affects children more than adults. There are many reasons behind this disease including dirt, crowded places, dirty water, use of public toilets. Prevention of which requires clean water, sanitation and supply of antibiotics.
Exemption from track was announced in 2017
India was declared trachoma free in 2017 after the WHO SAFE strategy was implemented across the country. Under the strategy, various measures such as surgery, antibiotics, facial hygiene and environmental sanitation were adopted to eliminate the disease. However, trachoma cases were monitored in all districts of India from 2019 to 2024.