Epidemiology

It is a public health problem in 42 countries, and is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people.

Based on June 2022 data, 125 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness.

In 2021, 69 266 people received surgical treatment for advanced stage of the disease, and 64.6 million people were treated with antibiotics. Global antibiotic coverage in 2021 was 44%.

Overall, Africa remains the most affected continent and the one with the most intensive control efforts.

As of 5 October 2022, 15 countries – Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, Malawi, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Vanuatu – had been validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem.