World Health Organization Announces Tunisia's Success in Eradicating Trachoma
May 14, 2026
The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Thursday, May 14, 2026, that Tunisia has successfully eliminated trachoma, also known as granular conjunctivitis, as a public health problem. The organization hailed this achievement as a major milestone in public health, the result of several decades of continuous national efforts.
In a statement published on its official website, the WHO noted that Tunisia becomes the 14th country in the Eastern Mediterranean region and the 31st globally to be officially validated for the elimination of trachoma as a public health problem.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Tunisia on this "historic achievement," highlighting that the elimination of trachoma demonstrates the impact of long-term political commitment, the solidity of primary healthcare, and collective work. He also emphasized that Tunisia has proven that it is possible to defeat even the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide.
Regional WHO Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Hanan Balkhy, also congratulated Tunisia, describing this success as a "great achievement" and estimating that it reflects a country's durable commitment over several years. She added that this is a concrete illustration of what can be achieved when a country maintains its action against avoidable causes of blindness.
According to the WHO statement, Tunisia has implemented a global and continuous response strategy against trachoma over several decades, transforming a heavy health burden into a public health success.
The country adopted the SAFE strategy recommended by the WHO and deployed it extensively. This approach includes surgery for advanced cases of the disease, administration of antibiotics to eliminate the infection, as well as hygiene promotion and environmental improvement actions. The strategy was also complemented by the integration of eye health into primary healthcare services and school health programs.
The WHO also notes that trachoma is closely linked to limited access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene conditions. The disease disproportionately affects the most vulnerable and disadvantaged populations.
Trachoma, or granular conjunctivitis, is an eye infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis. According to the WHO, approximately 1.9 million people worldwide suffer from irreversible visual impairment or blindness as a result of this disease.
Transmission of the infection occurs through direct contact with contaminated hands, clothing, bedding, or surfaces, as well as through flies that have come into contact with the eye or nasal secretions of infected individuals.
Finally, the WHO notes that repeated infections over several years can lead to a severe complication: eyelashes turn inward into the eye, causing pain and potentially leading to irreversible corneal damage and blindness.
