Context:
WHO declares that India has eliminated Trachoma as a public health problem in 2024.
Trachoma:
- Eye infecting disease caused by bacteria
- Classified as a Neglected Tropical Disease
- Transmission – Through contact with eyes, eyelids, nose, or throat secretions of infected individuals.
- Lead to inward turning of the eyelid margin and eyelashes touching the eyeball.
- If untreated, it can cause irreversible blindness.
- Interventions in India – National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), Adoption of WHO SAFE strategy etc.
- India is the 3rd country in the South-East Asia Region after Nepal and Myanmar that eliminated this Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD).
- Previously WHO declared India free from 2 other NTDs (Guinea Worm disease (2000) and Yaws (2016)).
Neglected Tropical Diseases:
- Diverse group of conditions/diseases that are mainly prevalent in tropical areas, where they thrive among people living in impoverished communities.
- Called ‘neglected’ as they are almost absent from the global health agenda.
- Caused by – Variety of pathogens including viruses, bacteria, parasites, fungi, and toxins
- Includes – Guinea worm disease, Chikungunya, Dengue, Kala Azar (Visceral Leishmaniasis), and Elephantiasis (Lymphatic Filariasis), Yaws, Trachoma, Dracunculiasis, Leprosy, Rabies etc.
- India is home to about 12 NTDs.
- Many of them are vector-borne, have animal reservoirs, and are associated with complex life cycles making its control challenging.
- Global Initiative to end NTDs – WHO’s New Road Map for 2021–2030 that aims a 90% reduction in the number of people requiring treatment for NTDs.
Source: PIB
Previous Year Question
Consider the following diseases
1. Diphtheria
2. Chickenpox
3. Smallpox
Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2014 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 3 only
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) None
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Smallpox has been eradicated by 1977 but diphtheria and chickenpox cases are still present.
