Number of people requiring interventions...

Trachoma

Australia is a signatory to the World Health Organization (WHO) Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020. Elimination of trachoma as a public health problem is defined by the WHO as ‘community prevalence of trachoma in children aged 1-9 years of less than 5%’.

As part of its WHO obligation to eliminate trachoma, Australia is required to regularly collect data on trachoma prevalence. The National Trachoma Surveillance and Reporting Unit, managed by the Kirby Institute, University of NSW, provides surveillance and annual reporting of trachoma prevalence, using State and Territory Governments’ data.

Trachoma program activities, data collection and analysis are guided by the National Guidelines for the Public Health Management of Trachoma in Australia (revised in 2013 and published in 2014 – see link). The below information should be read in conjunction with the Guidelines.

In 2019, 115 communities were identified as being ‘at-risk’ of trachoma. A total of 4419 people received antibiotic (azithromycin) treatment for trachoma (including people diagnosed with trachoma, their household contacts and community members as required by the Guidelines). This is fewer doses of azithromycin delivered in 2019 as compared to 2018 (4419 compared to 6576).

Strong progress has been made in reducing the overall prevalence of active trachoma rate from 14% in 2009 to 4.5% in 2019.

Further information can be found at: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-oatsih-pubs-trachreport ; and http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/cda-cdna-pubs-trachoma.htm