Algeria, Libya and Tunisia eliminate trachoma, a leading cause of blindness

Three North African countries have beaten trachoma, the world's leading infectious cause of blindness. The World Health Organization validated Libya in February 2026, Algeria in April and Tunisia in May as having eliminated the disease as a public health problem.

What is trachoma?

Trachoma is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and spreads through contact with infected eye discharge, on hands, clothing or flies. Repeated infections scar the eyelid until the lashes turn inward and scratch the eye, leading to blindness. It is responsible for the blindness or visual impairment of about 1.9 million people worldwide.

Algeria's milestone

Algeria became the 10th country in the WHO African Region and the 29th worldwide to eliminate trachoma. It focused its efforts on 12 southern provinces, including Adrar, Tamanrasset and Ouargla, where the disease was still a problem. Surveys in 2022 confirmed that the elimination threshold had been reached everywhere.

Trachoma is the first neglected tropical disease Algeria has eliminated, making it the 23rd country in the WHO African Region to eliminate at least one.

Why it matters

Eliminating a disease takes years of screening, surgery, antibiotics, and better water and sanitation. Each validation shows that neglected tropical diseases, which affect the world's poorest communities, can be beaten.