Key trachoma facts and statistics

Data to inform these messages are derived from the GET2020 database and the WHO Weekly Epidemiological Review annual updates on trachoma. ICTC strongly encourages its membership and all trachoma stakeholders to utilize these figures for consistency of messaging.

  • Trachoma is the world’s leading infectious cause of blindness and one of 20 neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) that affect over one billion of the world’s poorest people - Source: WHO

  • 18 countries have been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem (Benin, Cambodia, China, The Gambia, Ghana, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Togo, Vanuatu) -  Source: WHO Weekly Epidemiological Record*

*Iraq was validated as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem on 31 July 2023 - Souce: WHO

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