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Burundi Eliminates Trachoma
Context
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially validated Burundi as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, making it the eighth country in the WHO African Region to achieve this status.
Trachoma
- Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease (NTD) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis and is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide.
- It spreads through personal contact, contaminated surfaces, and flies exposed to ocular and nasal discharges.
- Repeated infections can lead to trichiasis (inward turning of eyelashes) and blindness.
- WHO recommends the SAFE strategy for elimination:
- S: Surgery for trichiasis
- A: Antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin)
- F: Facial cleanliness
- E: Environmental improvement (water, sanitation)
- Globally, 24 countries have eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.
- The African Region bears the highest burden, with 90% of the global at-risk population residing there.
- Burundi joins seven other African countries: Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, and Togo in achieving this milestone.
- The validation by WHO reflects effective multi-sectoral collaboration and successful implementation of public health strategies targeting vulnerable communities.
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