Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - Trachoma, closely connected with poor hygiene conditions, is an eye infection which affects the conjunctiva and cornea and can lead to blindness if not properly treated. It is also known as granular conjunctivitis. Present all over the world, although particularly in Africa, the Middle East, Australia and parts of Asia, trachoma is spread through direct or indirect contagion by bacteria which penetrates the eye.
In Latin America the Mexican health authorities said recently they had control of a pandemic affecting mainly the state of Chiapas, one of the country’s poorest and densely populated states where thousands were infected. In 2000 the disease was registered in five of the region municipalities with a total population of 100,000 and about 12,000 people were infected according to a report from Doctors without Frontiers.
There is no vaccination against trachoma, prevention consists of isolation and treatment of the patient, health education and personal hygiene. (AP) (12/4/2006 Agenzia Fides; Righe:17; Parole:185)
