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Trachoma

Causative Agent: Bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis

Person affected by trachoma with visual impairment

A Leading Cause of Preventable Blindness

Trachoma is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people worldwide

Key Statistics

1.9M

People visually impaired

38

Countries affected

103M

People at risk

130K+

Surgical treatments in 2023

About Trachoma

Trachoma is an eye disease caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. It is a public health problem in 38 countries and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people worldwide. The blindness caused by trachoma is irreversible.

Based on April 2024 data, 103 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness. In Kenya, trachoma remains a significant public health concern in several counties.

Transmission

Infection spreads through personal contact (via hands, clothes, bedding or hard surfaces) and by flies that have been in contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. With repeated episodes of infection over many years, the eyelashes may be drawn in so that they rub on the surface of the eye. This causes pain and may permanently damage the cornea.

Treatment Progress

In 2023, 130,746 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 32.9 million people were treated with antibiotics. Global antibiotic coverage in 2023 was 29%. Efforts continue to expand treatment coverage in endemic areas.

The SAFE Strategy

WHO recommends the SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma:

  • Surgery for trichiasis (inturned eyelashes)
  • Antibiotics to clear infection
  • Facial cleanliness to reduce transmission
  • Environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation

In Kenya

Trachoma is endemic in several counties in Kenya, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. It is one of the 18 out of 20 WHO-listed NTDs that are suspected, confirmed, or endemic to Kenya.

Key Facts:

  • •Endemic in arid and semi-arid counties
  • •Affects primarily rural communities
  • •National control program in place
  • •Working toward elimination as a public health problem

AM2NTD's Work

AM2NTD is supporting efforts to model and predict trachoma transmission dynamics to inform targeted intervention strategies in Kenya and across Africa.

Learn about our trachoma projects