WHO Declares Vietnam Has Eliminated Trachoma as a Public Health Issue

Manila — the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Vietnam has successfully eliminated trachoma, a significant infectious disease causing blindness globally, marking a major milestone in global public health.

During the 75th session of the WHO Regional Committee for the Western Pacific, WHO recognized Vietnam's efforts, noting that the country has implemented rigorous control measures and treated hundreds of thousands of people over the past seven decades.

Previously, trachoma posed a public health challenge in four provinces of Vietnam, where 1.7% of the population in high-risk areas required surgery 30 years ago to prevent trachoma-related blindness. In 2023, the proportion of adults with trachoma-related blindness fell below 0.2%, meeting WHO criteria for elimination. Vietnam employed WHO’s SAFE strategy, which emphasizes Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement to eliminate trachoma.

Trachoma is an eye disease caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. The infection can spread directly or indirectly through eye and nose secretions, especially from young children, who are primary carriers. Certain types of flies also facilitate the transmission of this infection.

Source: 

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