Egypt eliminates trachoma, a disease first recorded by ancient Egyptians

Egypt has eliminated trachoma, an infectious eye disease, as a public health problem, with the support of Sightsavers and other international partners.

The country’s achievement, confirmed by the World Health Organization on 12 November, means that more than two million people in Egypt are no longer at risk of losing their sight to the disease.

Trachoma is caused by a bacterial infection, which is spread by infected flies or close contact with someone with the condition. Repeated infections cause scarring in the eyelid, pulling the eyelashes inwards so they scratch against the eye with every blink. If left untreated, the condition causes irreversible sight loss.

The Ebers Papyrus, written in 1550 BCE, two centuries before the pharaoh Tutankhamun was born, contains a medical ‘cure’ for the advanced stage of trachoma, known as trachomatous trichiasis.

Sightsavers director of neglected tropical diseases Simon Bush said: “Trachoma elimination is becoming one of the great global health success stories of this century, with Egypt the 27th country globally to accomplish it. At a time when much recent progress in global health is under threat, let’s celebrate this phenomenal achievement. It’s testament to what we can accomplish when governments, non-governmental organisations, donors, health workers and community volunteers join forces with a common goal.

“More than 3,500 years ago, Egyptian medics prescribed myrrh and lizard and bat blood to cure the disease. Today, a combination of surgery, antibiotics, face washing, improved sanitation and community action has finally completed the job.”

In 2019, Sightsavers supported some of the first community-wide drug treatment campaigns for trachoma in Egypt. It has since provided technical support and strategic guidance to the country’s ministry of health.

Sightsavers has previously worked with seven other countries to eliminate trachoma, meaning millions of people are no longer at risk of losing their health, education or earning potential to the disease.