27/03/2026
📰 A major new trial by ICEH has found that the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy remains highly effective for trachoma control.
Trachoma is the leading infectious cause of blindness worldwide. While enhanced approaches are often proposed to accelerate progress, this study shows that the current SAFE strategy continues to deliver strong results when implemented well.
The research found:
• No additional benefit from intensified approaches such as double-dose mass drug administration (Stronger SAFE)
• No significant difference in Chlamydia trachomatis infection, load or clinical signs between trial groups
• An overall 80% reduction in infection prevalence from baseline
This is an important message for programmes and partners. The priority should be on achieving high coverage, maintaining quality, and delivering SAFE consistently, rather than adding complexity.
As countries move closer to elimination targets, focusing on what works at scale will be critical.
👉 Read more: https://iceh.lshtm.ac.uk/major-trial-finds-standard-who-recommended-approach-remains-effective-in-trachoma-control/
We would like to thank our partners in this work, including The The Fred Hollows Foundation, the Ministry of Health,Ethiopia of Health Ethiopia, and Oromia Regional Health Bureau.
A major new trial investigating enhanced trachoma control approaches has been published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases and Lancet Global Health. The multi-year study analysed the effect of increasing antibiotic treatment for the infection and strengthened transmission reduction methods amongst th...
