Morocco Eliminates Trachoma — WHO

Provinces targeted for trachoma control in Morocco

Morocco has eliminated trachoma – the leading infectious cause of blindness – the World Health Organization (WHO) says.

BBC News report continues:

Trachoma is transmitted through contact with eye and nose discharge from infected people, particularly young children, the organization says.

It affects populations in 42 countries and has led to blindness or visual impairment in about 1.9 million people.

WHO Director-General Dr Margaret Chan hailed Morocco's achievement:

This is an impressive public health achievement for Morocco.

It demonstrates how strong political will, education, awareness, surveillance and most importantly community engagement, can work to defeat a debilitating disease."

Morocco has been working to eradicate trachoma since the 1990s, with initiatives including surgery for trachiasis - the blinding stage of trachoma - as well as facial cleanliness and environmental improvement to limit transmission. 

Many sufferers were treated with the antibiotic azithromycin, donated through the International Trachoma Initiative. 

Moroccan Health Minister Dr El Houssaine Louardi said the antibiotic was crucial:

Availability of azithromycin spurred control activities and with the involvement of local communities and the mobilization of health professionals we managed to reach almost every individual, be it in villages or schools."

The WHO estimates that US$1bn (£800m) in funding is needed to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem worldwide by 2020.