El Salvador Eliminates Trachoma as a Public Health Threat

The validation followed a detailed multi-year review in which WHO examined whether trachoma remained a public health concern and assessed the country's ability to identify and respond to any future cases.

El Salvador has become the first country in Central America to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, earning official validation from the World Health Organization (WHO). The achievement marks a significant step in the global fight against the world's leading infectious cause of blindness and places the country among a growing list of nations that have successfully tackled neglected tropical diseases.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the country's accomplishment, describing it as the result of strong political commitment, targeted investment and active participation from local communities. He said El Salvador's success moves the world closer to the global goal of eliminating trachoma as a public health problem by 2030.

The validation followed a detailed multi-year review in which WHO examined whether trachoma remained a public health concern and assessed the country's ability to identify and respond to any future cases.

Extensive Assessments Found No Active Disease Transmission

Between 2023 and 2026, health authorities carried out targeted assessments in communities considered to be at higher environmental and social risk. The surveys found no evidence of active trachoma transmission, with no cases detected among children and no advanced disease capable of causing blindness identified in adults. The findings confirmed that trachoma is no longer a public health problem in El Salvador.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Director Dr Jarbas Barbosa said the achievement reflects the country's commitment to reaching vulnerable communities and collecting strong scientific evidence to demonstrate that the disease is no longer endemic. The elimination effort relied on a broad public health strategy that strengthened primary healthcare services, expanded access to water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, improved eye health services and encouraged close cooperation between government agencies, communities and international partners.

El Salvador has also established surveillance systems, trained healthcare workers and strengthened its capacity to detect and treat trichiasis, the advanced stage of trachoma that can lead to permanent blindness if left untreated.

Regional Progress Continues as Global Elimination Goal Advances

Health Minister Francisco Alabi described the validation as a major national milestone, saying the country achieved the recognition in just three years with support from PAHO and the Government of Canada. He said the programme has improved eye health while strengthening healthcare services in vulnerable communities.

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through contact with infected eye or nasal discharge. Repeated infections can scar the inner eyelid, causing the eyelashes to turn inward and damage the surface of the eye, eventually leading to blindness. The disease is closely linked to poverty and limited access to clean water, sanitation and healthcare.

Although El Salvador has eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, the disease remains endemic in rural and remote parts of Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala and Peru. Several other countries in the Americas continue to assess their epidemiological situation as part of regional elimination efforts.

WHO recommends that countries maintaining elimination continue disease surveillance and provide quality eye care services to prevent the disease from returning. With this achievement, El Salvador joins 64 countries worldwide that have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease recognised by WHO. It also becomes only the second country in the Americas, after Mexico, to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem.