The number of individuals requiring interventions against trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness globally, has fallen below 100 million for the first time since records began. As of November 2025, the count stands at 97.1 million, marking a significant decrease from 1.5 billion people estimated to be at risk in 2002. This represents a remarkable 94% reduction. In 2011, the figure was approximately 314 million, highlighting the effectiveness of ongoing health initiatives.
This milestone is a result of sustained efforts from national health ministries, local communities, and international partners who have implemented the World Health Organization’s (WHO) SAFE strategy. The SAFE strategy includes Surgery to treat trachomatous trichiasis, Antibiotics to clear infection, and Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement to reduce transmission and maintain progress.
Dr. Daniel Ngamije Madandi, Director of Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases at WHO, stated, “The reduction of the population requiring interventions to below 100 million is testament to strong country leadership and consistent implementation of the SAFE strategy.” He emphasized that progress across all trachoma-endemic WHO regions demonstrates the strategy’s effectiveness and adaptability. The WHO remains dedicated to providing technical assistance to help countries achieve the global elimination of trachoma as a public health problem by 2030.
The recent validation of Egypt and Fiji as having eliminated trachoma as a public health issue brings the total number of validated countries to 27. This includes at least one country in every WHO region where trachoma is endemic. Global advancements have been supported by a diverse array of stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, and donors, many of which collaborate through the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC).
Notably, the donation of more than 1.1 billion doses of azithromycin by Pfizer Inc. through the International Trachoma Initiative has been instrumental. These collaborations have allowed health ministries to distribute critical medicines efficiently while strengthening community health systems.
“The trachoma community is built on data and partnerships–elements that have enabled the SAFE strategy to be scaled up and helped drive this extraordinary reduction in trachoma globally,” said Michaela Kelly, Chair of ICTC. Despite the significant progress, nearly 100 million people remain at risk. An estimated US$ 300 million is needed to address funding gaps for surgery, antibiotics, surveys, and priority research to achieve the 2030 global elimination target. ICTC aims to continue providing a platform for stakeholders to work together and maximize contributions to health ministries.
Major initiatives such as the Global Trachoma Mapping Project (GTMP) and Tropical Data have played crucial roles in the global reduction of trachoma prevalence. The GTMP, conducted from 2012 to 2016, represents the largest series of infectious disease surveys ever undertaken. It developed protocols to assist health ministries, collecting data from 2.6 million people across 29 countries using innovative methods, including Android smartphones.
Since then, Tropical Data has supported over 4,000 surveys across 55 countries, examining more than 13.1 million individuals. This data has enabled targeted interventions and provided the evidence necessary for elimination efforts. Since 2012, an individual has been examined for trachoma approximately every 25 seconds through these initiatives.
“Behind every milestone are millions of individual stories of people whose sight has been protected,” noted PJ Hooper, Director of the International Trachoma Initiative. He acknowledged that today’s progress is the result of the relentless work of health ministries, local communities, and partners closely coordinating to implement the SAFE strategy.
Efforts to eliminate trachoma align with the Sustainable Development Goal 3.3, which aims to eradicate neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), along with the NTD roadmap for 2021–2030, targeting global elimination of trachoma by 2030. The countries validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem include Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Egypt, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Iraq, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Togo, Vanuatu, and Vietnam.
The progress made in reducing trachoma cases is a testament to the importance of international cooperation and dedicated public health efforts, showcasing the potential for achieving significant health goals through comprehensive strategies and partnerships.
