Trachoma has almost been eradicated from India. Trachoma has now been eradicated from the country. This means that the prevalence of trachoma cases in India is now less than 1%. This is a milestone for our country, for which the World Health Organization (WHO) has honored India. Till now only 20 countries of the world including India have achieved this feat. Trachoma is a type of bacterial infection. The bacteria that causes it is called chlamydia trachomitis in medical parlance. More important than a bacteria's name is its function. This bacteria was once a major cause of blindness all over the world including India. It is an infectious disease, which mainly affects the eyes. This causes the inner surface of the eyelid to become rough.
If the disease is left untreated, it can cause severe pain, corneal damage, and eventually blindness. The biggest problem is that blindness caused by trachoma cannot be cured.
According to the World Health Organization, trachoma is still a major health problem in 39 countries of the world. Due to which 19 lakh people worldwide have lost their eyesight. Therefore, complete eradication of this disease from India is a major achievement.
So, today 'health water'In we will talk about trachoma. You will also know that-
- What causes trachoma to spread?
- What is its treatment and precautions?
- What types of symptoms warrant caution?
Trachoma accounted for 4% of cases of blindness in India in 2005
According to the World Health Organization, trachoma was responsible for 4% of cases of blindness in India in 2005. After this, by the year 2018, the prevalence of trachoma had decreased to 0.008%.
After a detailed review of all the facts, figures and cases related to trachoma in India, the WHO team came to the conclusion that the disease has almost been eradicated from India. The team sent its recommendation to WHO and WHO approved it.
How many trachoma patients are there in the country and in the world? According to World Health Organization estimates, around 32.8 million people worldwide were treated with antibiotics for trachoma in 2020, while more than 42,000 people were facing severe conditions. So he had to seek the help of surgery to treat it. Today, approximately 1.9 million people in the world are blind or visually impaired due to trachoma. Trachoma is currently responsible for approximately 1.4% of cases of blindness worldwide.
Renowned Ophthalmologist Dr. Digvijay Singh says India's health care system may have made a major breakthrough in dealing with trachoma. However, doctors and general public need to be cautious. Even a little carelessness can cause infection.
What types of symptoms warrant caution? Dr. Digvijay Singh says the symptoms of trachoma are similar to common eye infections. As time passes, the lesions on the white part of the eye increase. First of all it causes dryness in the eyes and swelling of the eyelids. Then the eye starts to feel stinging and the cornea starts to get damaged. Symptoms of trachoma progress slowly and cause damage. Therefore, it is important to recognize and treat it early.
What are its features, see in the graphic.
How is trachoma spread?
The disease is spread by direct contact with secretions from the eyes, nose, or throat of an infected person. If flies have come into contact with the secretions, trachoma can also be spread by them.
Dr. Digvijay Singh says, the disease is mostly spread in developing countries. The main reason behind it is that there is more dust and dirt, which causes more flies. In most cases of trachoma, flies are carriers of the bacteria.
Dr. Digvijay Singh says most of the trachoma cases he receives come from rural or urban areas because there is a higher risk of filth and fly breeding.
If the bacteria reaches our hands or face through any cloth, surface or fly, it can easily reach the eyes and cause infection.
Trachoma is easy to treat Dr. Digvijay Singh says that trachoma is a dangerous bacterial infection. It can cause blindness, but is just as easy to treat.
As the symptoms of trachoma develop slowly, there is enough time available to treat it and antibiotics are very effective in treating it. Usually doctors recommend azithromycin. But we cannot take this medicine by ourselves without doctor's advice.
What are the ways to prevent trachoma? Dr. Digvijay Singh says that cleanliness is the most basic and important thing to avoid trachoma or any other bacterial infection.
So, keep washing your hands frequently. Wash your hands with clean water, especially before touching your face.
Flies are also carriers of the bacteria in this infection. So, keep cleanliness around your living space as well. Apart from this what other remedies can be found, see in the graphic.
Eradication of trachoma has raised great hopes in the fight against dengue, malaria
We have been included in the list of 20 countries in the world that have eliminated trachoma. Dr. Digvijay Singh says the elimination of trachoma has given a big hope in the fight against several vector-borne diseases in India.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
