Australia has become the 30th nation worldwide to eliminate trachoma as a public health concern according to multiple statements.
The leading cause of blindness due to infectious disease, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities were still at risk of trachoma where the bacteria which causes it has persisted for years despite its earlier disappearance from the rest of the country.
Indeed from the center of Melbourne or Sydney, one could never imagine that Australia could continue to suffer from a neglected tropical disease that can be treated with simple hygiene procedures and antibiotics.
But the remoteness of these indigenous communities has left them vulnerable to continuous transmission for decades until Australia implemented the National Trachoma Management Program in 2006.
Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through close contact with infected individuals, contaminated surfaces, and flies that carry eye and nose discharge. Repeated infections can lead to scarring of the eyelids, turning eyelashes inward, and ultimately causing blindness if untreated.
It can be eliminated comprehensively through the use of antibiotics to treat infection, promotion of facial cleanliness, and environmental improvement, as well as surgery for trichiasis if necessary.
Over time, sustained screening, treatment, and prevention activities, including improvements in housing, water, sanitation, and hygiene, led to a steady decline in trachoma prevalence in rural Australia. The country’s approach included adaptations to reflect its context, such as targeted treatment based on community-level data rather than mass drug administration.
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“Elimination of trachoma is a win… for those whose lives have been impacted by a disease that is entirely preventable,” said Mark Butler, Minister for Health and Ageing, Australia. “This major milestone is thanks to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership, community commitment, and sustained investment over many decades.”
“The lessons from this work will inform how we approach other preventable health conditions in remote and regional Australia. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organizations and local health workers have been central to this success, delivering culturally safe care and community-led solutions.”
Australia is the 30th country to eliminate trachoma as a public health concern. GNN reported on Myanmar eliminating trachoma in 2020, which at the time made it the 12th country to achieve this. 18 more have achieved the same milestone since, including Egypt.
CELEBRATE Australia’s Success In Catching Rural Health Up To Urban Health…