Fourth Regional Meeting of Managers of National Programs for the Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Heatlh Problem in the Americas. Mexico City, 6-8 September 2016

Abstract

[Summary]: The Fourth Regional Meeting of Managers of National Programs for the Elimination of Trachoma as a Public Health Problem in the Americas served as an opportunity to exchange information and experiences in order to reinforce activities designed to eliminate trachoma as a public health problem in the Americas. With the participation of national representatives from countries with known trachoma foci, as well as from countries that share borders with active foci, it was possible to identify the situation in each nation and to define joint activities and technical cooperation so that the necessary epidemiological information can be compiled. The evidence presented constitutes great progress in elucidating the epidemiological situation of the disease and in defining the actions required to eliminate it. Countries with active foci have directed their efforts toward strengthening the SAFE (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness and Environmental improvement) strategy, conducting prevalence surveys and active trachomatous trichiasis (TT) casefinding as well as the mapping of areas with communities living in vulnerable conditions where trachoma could constitute a public health issue...The conclusions and recommendations of the meeting, with the consensus of all participants, are presented below.