Lessons learned for surveillance strategies for trachoma elimination as a public health problem, from the evaluation of approaches utilised by Guinea worm and onchocerciasis programmes: a literature review

A number of neglected tropical diseases are targeted for elimination or eradication. An effective surveillance system is critical to determine if these goals have been achieved and maintained. Trachoma has two related but morphologically different presentations that are monitored for elimination: the active infectious form of trachoma and trachomatous trichiasis (TT), and the progression of the disease.

This literature review finds that there are a number of lessons learned from the Guinea worm surveillance system that are particularly compatible for TT surveillance. The review also finds that the onchocerciasis surveillance system can provide insights for surveillance of the infectious form of trachoma.