What bacteria causes trachoma?
Caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, trachoma is easily spread through direct personal contact, shared towels and cloths, and flies that have come in contact with the eyes or nose of an infected person.
How does trachoma cause blindness?
Repeated, untreated infections over years build scarring on the inside of the eyelids and make the eyelashes turn in – a condition known as trichiasis. This scrapes and irritates the cornea, compromises vision and eventually causes blindness.
Which fly causes trachoma?
The fly species that is considered a likely vector of trachoma is the Bazaar Fly, or Musca sorbens, found widely in Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Female M.
Is trachoma a water borne disease?
Other waterborne diseases include diarrhoea, dysentery, polio and meningitis. Unclean water for washing can cause skin and infectious eye disease such as Trachoma. Trachoma can lead to visual impairment or blindness.
How is trachoma prevented?
Prevention
- Face washing and hand-washing. Keeping faces and hands clean may help break the cycle of reinfection.
- Fly control. Reducing fly populations can help eliminate a source of transmission.
- Proper waste management.
- Improved access to water.
Which is the 2nd country to eliminate trachoma disease?
Gambia recently became the second African country to eliminate Trachoma. Trachoma is one of the leading causes of blindness.
Is trachoma an STD?
Trachoma is caused by certain subtypes of Chlamydia trachomatis, a bacterium that can also cause the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. Trachoma spreads through contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person.
Where is trachoma found?
Trachoma is hyperendemic in many of the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. It is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people. It causes about 1.4% of all blindness worldwide.