PAHO, Canada Advance Fight Against Blindness in the Americas

The Initiative for the Elimination of Trachoma in the Americas, a collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Government of Canada, has made significant strides in eliminating trachoma in the Americas. This disease is the leading cause of infectious blindness globally.

Trachoma, caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, spreads through direct contact with ocular and nasal secretions from infected individuals, reports PAHO. In the Americas, the disease remains prevalent in rural and remote areas of Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru, where about 5.6 million people are at risk. Women and children are particularly vulnerable.

To combat the disease, PAHO has implemented interventions based on the World Health Organization's (WHO) SAFE strategy since 2023. This strategy includes surgery to prevent blindness, antibiotic distribution, and facial hygiene promotion.

Countries with suspected cases of trachoma, including Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, and Venezuela, have also joined the initiative. Mexico, which eliminated trachoma as a public health issue in April 2017, continues to work on preventing its reemergence.

Surveillance is a critical component of the initiative. Recent prevalence surveys in Brazil and Venezuela — specifically in the Indigenous Health Special District of Tocantins and the state of Amazonas — have provided valuable data to inform future interventions. In Bolivia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and El Salvador, rapid assessments are being conducted in priority areas to determine whether more extensive surveys are needed.

Training local healthcare workers is another key aspect of the initiative. Between 2023 and 2024, PAHO has conducted training programs in countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, and Mexico. These programs have combined theoretical knowledge with practical skills, particularly in surgical procedures and surveillance techniques, to build local capacity to address trachoma and other health challenges.

Trachoma is just one of over 30 communicable diseases and related conditions that PAHO aims to eliminate by 2030 through its Elimination Initiative.