Caracas, September 22, 2023 (PAHO/WHO).- Venezuela is part of the group integrated by ten countries of the Americas which will receive support to strengthen epidemiological surveillance on trachoma and determine if this disease is a public health problem in the populations living in vulnerable conditions.
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)and the Canadian government have launched an initiative to eliminate this infectious eye disease, the leading cause of blindness among women in poor and remote areas of Latin America. The initiative was announced by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau during the 78th United Nations General Assembly.
Through a contribution of $11.2 million, provided by Global Affairs Canada (GAC), PAHO will expand technical cooperation in ten Latin American and Caribbean countries with the aim of strengthening surveillance and expanding treatment of the disease, reaching 10 million people in the next five years.
Caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria, trachoma is transmitted both by flies and direct contact with the eye secretions of infected people. The disease mainly affects those living in conditions of extreme poverty. Factors conducive to transmission include overcrowding and poor hygiene and sanitary conditions. It is estimated that women are twice as likely to be affected by this disease and up to four times more likely than men to go blind from trachoma.
The collaboration between PAHO and Canada will focus on at-risk populations in Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru, where trachoma is endemic and affects 5.6 million people. Six other countries will also receive support to determine whether the disease is a public health problem: Bolivia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Haiti, Venezuela and Mexico. The latter, which became the first country in Latin America to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem in 2017, will receive support for the implementation of surveillance actions in order to prevent the recurrence of the disease.
In Venezuela, studies will be conducted in ten evaluation units made up of 22 selected municipalities in five states: Amazonas, Apure, Delta Amacuro, Zulia and Bolívar. This effort follows surveillance actions for the disease were carried out in 2018 and 2019 in indigenous communities in the state of Amazonas and cases were identified in the state of Bolívar.
Neglected infectious diseases
Neglected infectious diseases, including trachoma, are a diverse group of 20 parasitic, bacterial and fungal diseases that have a disproportionate health impact on vulnerable populations, including ethnic minorities. Risk factors include poverty, income inequality, lack of access to clean water and adequate sanitation, as well as barriers to education and health services, among others.
PAHO supports the countries of the Americas to accelerate efforts toward the elimination of these diseases through integrated approaches focused on increasing access to health services, improving health information and surveillance systems, addressing the social and environmental determinants of health, and strengthening governance to leave no one behind.
