WHO certifies Senegal free of trachoma as a public health problem
Why in the news
The World Health Organization has certified Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Senegal is the 25th country globally and the ninth in Africa to reach the milestone.
Key facts
- Trachoma is a bacterial eye infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and a leading cause of preventable blindness.
- Senegal follows Gambia among African countries certified; India, Morocco and Nepal are among other certified countries.
- Senegal joined WHO’s elimination alliance in 1998, ran a national survey in 2000 and finished mapping in 2017.
- Mass antibiotic treatment, mainly azithromycin, was part of the effort.
| Letter | Meaning |
|---|---|
| S | Surgery |
| A | Antibiotics |
| F | Facial cleanliness |
| E | Environmental improvement |
About trachoma elimination
A country is treated as having eliminated trachoma when fewer than 5% of children show symptoms and fewer than 0.1% of adults have vision loss from the disease. Infection spreads through eye and nose secretions, contaminated objects and flies.
Exam angle
- Remember the cause: Chlamydia trachomatis.
- Learn the four parts of the SAFE strategy.
- Note Senegal as the 25th country and 9th in Africa.