Key findings
- In 2024, screening staff used WHO grading criteria to assess trachoma in 86 communities.
- Overall trachoma prevalence, which includes estimates from all communities ever considered at-risk, remained below 5% at 2.1% in Northern Territory, 0% in South Australia, and 1.3% in Western Australia.
- Trachomatous trichiasis ‘previously unknown to the health system’ continues to be low, with only 9 newly identified cases reported.
- ‘Elimination as a public health problem’ as defined by WHO relates to overall state/territory prevalence. Some remote communities continue to record trachoma at levels that indicate ongoing risk and the potential for resurgence of infection elsewhere.
- Sustaining elimination of trachoma as a public health problem relies on strengthening health promoting environments, particularly improving the provision of appropriate housing in remote areas and ongoing maintenance of home health hardware, including water and sanitation facilities.
- Principles of Indigenous leadership, local ownership and community accountability must guide ongoing prevention and control strategies to maintain achievements in trachoma control.
