Hear’s a breakdown of the provided text, focusing on the key data about trachoma elimination in Senegal and the global context:
Senegal’s achievement:
Elimination of Trachoma: senegal has been validated by the WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem.
Previous Success: This follows Senegal’s certification as free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission in 2004, making trachoma the second neglected tropical disease eliminated ther. Activities Undertaken: The elimination efforts involved:
Providing surgery for late-stage blinding trachoma.
Mass drug administration of azithromycin (donated by Pfizer thru the International Trachoma Initiative). Public awareness campaigns promoting facial cleanliness. Improving access too water supply and sanitation.
Global Context: Senegal joins 24 other countries validated by WHO for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. These countries are part of a larger group of 57 countries that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease.
Ongoing Monitoring: WHO is supporting Senegal to monitor communities where trachoma was previously endemic to prevent resurgence.
Significance: The WHO Representative in Senegal highlighted this as a significant public health milestone and a tribute to the dedication of health workers,communities,leaders,and partners.
Global Trachoma Situation:
continued Public Health Problem: trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, affecting an estimated 103 million people.
Geographic Distribution: It is primarily found in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, asia, the Western Pacific, and the Middle East.
Disproportionate Impact on Africa: The WHO’s African Region bears the brunt of the global trachoma burden, with 93 million people in at-risk areas (90% of the global burden) as of April 2024.
Progress in Africa: Significant progress has been made in the African Region, with the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment falling by 51% (from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million in April 2024).
Countries Requiring Intervention in Africa: 20 countries in the African Region still require intervention for trachoma elimination.
Countries Claiming Elimination targets Met in Africa: 3 countries in the African Region claim to have met the prevalence targets for elimination.
About Trachoma:
Neglected Tropical disease: Trachoma is classified as a neglected tropical disease.
Cause: It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. transmission: It spreads through person-to-person contact via contaminated surfaces, fomites, and flies that have come into contact with eye or nasal discharge from infected individuals.
Environmental Risk Factors: Poor hygiene, overcrowded households, and inadequate access to water and sanitation contribute to its transmission.
SAFE Strategy: The WHO recommends the SAFE strategy for elimination:
Surgery: To treat trachomatous trichiasis (a blinding complication).
Antibiotics: To clear infections,particularly through mass drug administration of azithromycin.
Facial cleanliness: Promoted through public awareness campaigns.
* Environmental enhancement: Including better access to water supply and sanitation.
