The World Health Organization (WHO) has validated El Salvador as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Trachoma is the world's leading infectious cause of blindness.

"I congratulate El Salvador on this remarkable achievement. It is a testament to the power of political commitment, strategic investment, and community engagement," said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General, "El Salvador's success is a vital step towards our global target of eliminating trachoma worldwide by 2030 and a clear signal that a healthier, more equitable future is within reach."

The validation follows a rigorous, multi-year process to determine whether trachoma was present as a public health problem in the country and to document the health system capacity to detect, investigate, and respond to any potential future cases.

Between 2023 and 2026, El Salvador conducted targeted assessments in communities prioritized based on environmental and social risk factors. These assessments found no evidence of active transmission of trachoma. No signs of the disease were detected in children, and no advanced cases capable of causing blindness were found in adults