Morocco, leading country in blinding trachoma fighting
Morocco, Health, 10/6/2003

Morocco is a leading country in blinding trachoma fighting, the Moroccan health department's challenge in the field being to totally eliminate the ailment by 2005, a Moroccan health official said.

Dr. Abdelkrim Meziane Belfkih told the journalists invited to a field visit in the three southern "endemic zones" of Tata, Zagora and Ouarzazate that among 25 countries fighting the disease, partners view Morocco as a leading country in the field. Trachoma, the world's major cause of preventable blindness, is expected to be eliminated from Morocco by 2005, the International Trachoma Initiative said. Since the organization became active in Morocco in 1999, trachoma prevalence has decreased by about 75% (from 28% to 6.5%). The Moroccan mutli-disciplinary approach involves drinking water, education, public health local associations and the community. Trachoma is easily transmitted from person to person, particularly in families with small children. It occurs first in children, who often transmit the disease to others through frequent contact. Blindness occurs only after multiple infections, usually when individuals are in their 40s or 50s.

Women's close contact with children may be the factor that makes them two to three times more likely than men to be blinded by it. Without adequate treatment, the inner eyelid becomes scarred. After repeated infection and scarring, a condition known as trichiasis arises, which ultimately causes the eyelid to turn inwards, causing the eyelashes to rub against and damage the cornea, which leads to blindness.

An estimated 6,780 Moroccans still have trichiasis and need corrective surgery to prevent blindness.

Previous Stories:
  Every year, 800,000 babies are born with HIV; one in twenty women tested   (9/24/2003)
  Drop in infant mortality in Morocco, says minister   (9/22/2003)
  International trachoma initiative says disease eliminated in Morocco   (12/12/2001)
  Fund cites dramatic progress against trachoma in Morocco and Tanzania   (12/5/2000)
  Morocco to wage anti-trachoma campaign   (9/11/2000)

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