Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic wipe out trachoma—leading infectious cause of blindness
MANILA | 19 September 2017 – The World Health Organization (WHO) today congratulated the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Lao
People’s Democratic Republic on eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
Trachoma is an eye disease caused by infection with Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. Infection is spread through contact with discharge
from the eyes and nose of an infected person, particularly young children. It is also spread by flies which have been in
contact with the eyes and noses of infected people. Transmission of the infection is closely linked with poor sanitation
and hygiene.
After years of repeated infection, the inside of the eyelid can become so scarred that it turns inward, causing the
eyelashes to rub against the eyeball, scarring the eye and potentially leading to blindness.
“Trachoma is a disease of poverty. Communities that don’t have good access to safe water and sanitation are the hardest
hit. But it is possible to tackle this public health problem, as Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic have
done, by making the right investments to protect peoples’ health,” said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the
Western Pacific.
Trachoma has been a recognized problem in Cambodia since the 1990s and in the Lao People's Democratic Republic since the
1970s.
In 1997, WHO launched the Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by the year 2020 (GET2020). With other
partners in the Alliance, WHO supports country implementation of the SAFE strategy (Surgery for trichiasis, antibiotics
to treat active infection, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvements to limit transmission) and strengthening
of national capacity through epidemiological assessment, monitoring, surveillance, project evaluation and resource
mobilization for elimination of trachoma.
In 1998, the World Health Assembly passed a resolution targeting trachoma for elimination as a public health problem.
Since then, significant progress has been made and an increasing number of endemic countries are meeting targets and
working on documentation of national elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.
In Cambodia, a series of trachoma rapid assessments was conducted in 2000. The findings prompted the country to roll out
trachoma control activities which included provision of trichiasis surgery, treatment of communities, and health
education. In the Lao People's Democratic Republic, trachoma screening and treatment services provided through the
country’s health system have been effective. Ongoing improvements in living standards, water supply, sanitation and
hygiene in both countries have also contributed to the marked decline in trachoma over recent decades.
Between 2014 and 2016, rigorous assessments were conducted in Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic which
allowed an independent review group to conclude that trachoma was no longer a public health problem in either country.
“We have worked hard to rid Cambodia of trachoma–a painful and blinding neglected tropical disease. It goes to show that
targeted programmes–led by the Ministry of Health through our national programme, under strong leadership and support
from Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia, and with commitment of
dedicated health leaders and staff–can be effective, and we are ready to share our experience with other countries in
the region that want to do the same,” said Dr Mam Bunheng, Minister of Health, Cambodia.
“Blinding trachoma used to be endemic in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. It was particularly common among
preschool-aged children, with prevalence as high as 60–90% in some areas. By eliminating this disease, our children can
now grow up safe from this painful and potentially blinding infection. This is a wonderful achievement for our people,
which will pay dividends for decades to come,” said Dr Bounkong Syhavong, Minister of Health, Lao People's Democratic
Republic.
WHO validates the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem when a country can show that: i) less than 5% of
children aged 1–9 years have signs of active trachoma (trachomatous inflammation–follicular), which requires treatment
with antibiotic eye drops; ii) less than 0.2% of people over 15 years have a more advanced form of disease (trachomatous
trichiasis) requiring eyelid surgery; and iii) their health system can identify and manage any new cases of trichiasis.
Cambodia and the Lao People's Democratic Republic are the first countries in the WHO Western Pacific Region to be
validated as having achieved elimination of trachoma as a public health problem. Eight other countries in the Region
(Australia, China, Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and Viet Nam) remain endemic with blinding
trachoma.
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Trachoma