India is now declared free from ‘ according to the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17).
It is a chronic infective disease of the eye and a leading cause of corneal blindness in India, affecting young children.
Trachoma is a disease caused by poor environmental and personal hygiene and inadequate access to water and sanitation which affects the conjunctiva.
According to the National Trachoma Survey Report (2014-17), India has become free from Trachoma with an overall prevalence found to be only 0.7%, much below the criteria set by WHO.
According to WHO, active trachoma is considered eliminated if the prevalence of active infection among children below 10 years is less than 5%.
The disease is found to be affecting the population in certain pockets of north Indian states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and the Nicobar Islands.
The Survey results indicate that active trachoma is no longer a public health problem in India. India has now met the goal of trachoma elimination as specified by the WHO under its GET 2020 program.