Algeria Achieves Historic Milestone by Eliminating Trachoma as a Public Health Threat

April 26, 2026 - 09:32

The World Health Organization has officially validated Algeria as having successfully eliminated trachoma as a public health problem, marking a significant achievement in global health. This accomplishment positions Algeria as the 29th country worldwide to reach this critical milestone in the fight against neglected tropical diseases.

WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus praised the achievement, describing it as a historic triumph that connects public health efforts across generations. He emphasized that this success demonstrates how sustained political commitment and dedicated health professionals can effectively eliminate neglected tropical diseases while building a healthier future for all populations.

For decades, Algeria implemented the comprehensive SAFE strategy recommended by WHO to combat trachoma. This approach included providing surgical interventions for the late blinding stage of the disease known as trachomatous trichiasis, conducting mass antibiotic administration campaigns, launching public awareness initiatives promoting facial cleanliness and personal hygiene, and improving access to water supply and sanitation infrastructure.

Trachoma represents the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Algeria. The disease is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and remains a public health concern in 30 countries globally. It is responsible for blindness or visual impairment in approximately 1.9 million people worldwide, with blindness from trachoma being particularly difficult to reverse once it occurs.

According to data from November 2025, approximately 97 million people continue to live in trachoma-endemic areas and remain at risk of developing trachoma-related blindness. The infection spreads through personal contact via hands, clothing, bedding, or hard surfaces, as well as through flies that have contacted discharge from infected individuals' eyes or noses. Repeated infections over many years can cause eyelashes to turn inward, rubbing against the eye surface and causing pain while potentially permanently damaging the cornea.

In 2024, global health efforts resulted in 87,349 people receiving surgical treatment for advanced stages of the disease, while 44.4 million individuals received antibiotic treatment. Global antibiotic coverage for trachoma reached 39 percent in 2024.