El Salvador validated by WHO as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem

The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. "I congratulate El Salvador on this remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the power of political commitment, strategic investment, and community engagement," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, "El Salvador's success is a vital step towards our global target of eliminating trachoma worldwide by 2030 and a clear signal that a healthier, more equitable future is within reach." The validation follows a rigorous, multi-year process to determine whether trachoma was present as a public health problem in the country and to document the health system capacity to detect, investigate, and respond to any potential future cases. Between 2023 and 2026, El Salvador conducted targeted assessments in communities prioritized based on environmental and social risk factors. These assessments found no evidence of active transmission of trachoma. No signs of the disease were detected in children, and no advanced cases capable of causing blindness were found in adults. These findings confirmed that trachoma does not constitute a public health problem in the country. “This validation reflects El Salvador’s commitment to reaching populations in the most vulnerable conditions and generating solid evidence to demonstrate that trachoma is not endemic in the country,” said Dr Jarbas Barbosa, Director of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). “It is the result of sustained efforts to reach communities, identify potential cases, and ensure no one was left behind.” El Salvador’s progress was supported by a multisectoral approach, including strengthened primary health care services, improvements in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH), eye health services, including visual acuity screening in adults, and collaboration among government sectors, communities, and international partners. The country has also established systems to sustain this achievement, including trained health personnel, integrated surveillance mechanisms, and the capacity to detect and manage trichiasis cases (an advanced stage of trachoma in which the eyelashes turn inward and can lead to blindness) within the national health system. “El Salvador has reached a major health milestone by achieving certification as a country free of trachoma, the result of sustained national efforts, with the support of the Pan American Health Organization and the Embassy of Canada,” said El Salvador’s Minister of Health, Francisco Alabi.