Trachoma Eliminated in 3 More Countries

Trachoma, the leading infectious* cause of blindness in the developing world, has been eliminated from Ghana, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, according to a press release from the Carter Center and the International Trachoma Initiative. Ghana is the first sub-Saharan African country to purge the disease.

Elimination of trachoma** was achieved by using the so-called SAFE strategy of the World Health Organization—which includes eyelid surgery, antibiotics (ie, azithromycin), facial cleanliness, and environmental improvements. The strategy was used successfully 3 years ago to wipe out trachoma in Iran, Morocco, and Oman and is the basis of the WHO's Alliance for the Global Elimination of Blinding Trachoma by the year 2020.

Azithromycin (Zithromax) is currently being donated by Pfizer, in conjunction with the Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. The drug company and the foundation originated the International Trachoma Initiative in 1998.

* Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis.

** Defined by WHO as 1) elimination of blinding cases of trachomatous trichiasis through surgery (or at least offering surgery to all cases); 2) reducing cases of trachomatous follicular conjunctivitis in adults to fewer than 1 per 1000; and 3) reducing the prevalence of trachomatous follicular conjunctivitis in children (age range, 1-9 years) to less than 5%.

Image of trachomatous conjunctival scarring from WHO trachoma grading cards.