Algeria Becomes 10th African Country to Eliminate Trachoma as Public Health Problem

The World Health Organization has validated Algeria as the 10th country in WHO's African Region and 29th globally to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, marking the first neglected tropical disease eliminated in Algeria. Trachoma, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide, affecting 1.9 million people and putting 97 million at risk across 30 endemic countries. Algeria's success stems from decades of systematic effort beginning with the Pasteur Institute in 1909, accelerating after independence under Prof Mohamed Aouchiche, and implementing WHO's SAFE strategy including free surgery, mass antibiotic treatment, hygiene campaigns, and improved water access. A focused 2013-2015 strategy targeted 12 southern wilayas, with 2022 surveys confirming elimination thresholds were met, followed by door-to-door screening in remaining areas.

Algeria's Achievement in Eliminating Trachoma

• ▪The World Health Organization validated Algeria as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem
• ▪Algeria is the 10th country in WHO's African Region to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem
• ▪The Ministry of Health of Algeria submitted a dossier to WHO in December 2025 providing evidence that Algeria meets the criteria for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem
• ▪Algeria becomes the 23rd country in the WHO African Region to have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease
• ▪Trachoma is the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Algeria
• ▪Algeria is the 29th country globally to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem

The Disease and Its Global Impact

• ▪Chlamydia trachomatis is spread through contact with infected eye discharge via hands, clothing, or flies
• ▪97 million people live in trachoma endemic areas and are at risk of trachoma blindness
• ▪Neglected tropical diseases are a diverse group of 21 conditions associated with devastating health, social and economic consequences
• ▪Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide
• ▪Trachoma remains endemic in 30 countries globally
• ▪Trachoma is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people
• ▪Repeated trachoma infections can lead to scarring of the inner part of the upper eyelid, turning eyelashes inward to scratch the eyeball

Algeria's Century-Long Campaign and SAFE Strategy Implementation

• ▪Algeria established a National Expert Committee to accelerate trachoma elimination
• ▪WHO-compliant surveys conducted in Algeria in 2022 confirmed that the elimination threshold for active trachoma was achieved in all areas
• ▪Algeria's fight against trachoma dates back to the early 20th century with the establishment of the Pasteur Institute of Algeria in 1909
• ▪Algeria implemented a three-year strategy in 2013-2015 to accelerate trachoma elimination
• ▪After Algeria's independence, Algerian physicians led by Prof Mohamed Aouchiche took charge of trachoma elimination work
• ▪Algeria created a national public healthcare system that began to provide services free of charge to patients in 1974
• ▪Algeria's 2013-2015 trachoma elimination strategy focused on eliminating trachoma in 12 southern wilayas where the disease remained a public health problem

Perspective of Algeria's Ministry of Health

• ▪Algeria created a national public healthcare system that began to provide services free of charge to patients in 1974
• ▪After Algeria's independence, Algerian physicians led by Prof Mohamed Aouchiche took charge of trachoma elimination work
• ▪Algeria's fight against trachoma dates back to the early 20th century with the establishment of the Pasteur Institute of Algeria in 1909