The World Health Organisation has validated Senegal as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. The WHO, which disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noted that the validation makes Senegal the ninth country in the WHO’s African Region to have achieved this feat. Trachoma is a neglected tropical disease. It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which spreads from person to person through contaminated surfaces, fomites, and flies that have come into contact with discharge from the eyes or nose of an infected person. Environmental risk factors for trachoma transmission include poor hygiene, overcrowded living conditions, and inadequate access to clean water and sanitation. Trachoma remains a public health problem in 32 countries, with an estimated 103 million people living in areas requiring interventions against the disease. Trachoma is found mainly in the poorest and most rural areas of Africa, Central and South America, Asia, the Western Pacific, and the Middle East. WHO’s African Region is disproportionately affected by trachoma, with 93 million people living in at-risk areas in April 2024, representing 90 per cent of the global trachoma burden. The global health body stated that significant progress has been made in the fight against trachoma over the past few years, and the number of people requiring antibiotic treatment for trachoma in the African Region fell by 96 million from 189 million in 2014 to 93 million as of April 2024, representing a 51 per cent reduction. There are currently 20 countries (Algeria, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Guinea, Kenya, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, South Sudan, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe) in WHO’s African Region that are known to require intervention for trachoma elimination. A further three countries in the Region (Botswana, Guinea-Bissau, and Namibia) claim to have achieved the prevalence targets for elimination. The Director-General of WHO, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, said, “I commend Senegal for freeing its population from this disease. “This milestone is yet another sign of the remarkable progress being made against neglected tropical diseases globally, and offers hope to other countries still working to eliminate trachoma.” Trachoma has been known in Senegal since the early 1900s and was confirmed as a major cause of blindness through surveys in the 1980s and 1990s. Senegal joined the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma in 1998, conducted its first national survey in 2000, and completed full disease mapping by 2017 with support from the Global Trachoma Mapping Project and Tropical Data. Trachoma control was consistently integrated into national eye health programmes, first under the National Program for Blindness Prevention, and later through the National Programme for the Promotion of Eye Health, maintaining its commitment to trachoma elimination. Senegal’s Minister of Health and Social Action, Dr. Ibrahima Sy, noted, “Today we celebrate our victory against trachoma, 21 years after the one against dracunculiasis. “This new milestone reminds us that our overarching goal remains a Senegal free from neglected tropical diseases. We are fully committed to this, and we are making good progress, notably against human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) and onchocerciasis.” To eliminate trachoma as a public health problem, WHO recommends the SAFE strategy: a comprehensive approach to reduce transmission of the causative organism, clear existing infections, and deal with their effects. The SAFE strategy consists of surgery to treat the blinding complication (trachomatous trichiasis); antibiotics to clear the infection, particularly mass drug administration of the antibiotic azithromycin (which has been donated by the manufacturer, Pfizer, to elimination programmes through the International Trachoma Initiative); facial cleanliness; and environmental improvement, particularly improving access to water and sanitation. “Senegal implemented the WHO-recommended SAFE strategy to eliminate trachoma with the support of partners, reaching 2.8 million people who needed them across 24 districts. These activities included provision of surgery to treat the late blinding stage of the disease, conducting antibiotic mass drug administration of azithromycin donated by Pfizer through the International Trachoma Initiative, carrying out public awareness campaigns to promote facial cleanliness, and improvement in access to water supply and sanitation. “Trachoma is the second neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in Senegal. In 2004, the country was certified free of dracunculiasis (Guinea-worm disease) transmission. Globally, Senegal joins 24 other countries that have been validated by WHO for having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. “These are Benin, Burundi, Cambodia, China, Gambia, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Ghana, India, Iraq, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Togo, Vanuatu, and Viet Nam. These countries are part of a wider group of 57 countries that have eliminated one or more neglected tropical diseases,” WHO stated. The organisation added that it is supporting Senegal’s health authorities to closely monitor communities in which trachoma was previously endemic to ensure there is no resurgence of the disease. “Trachoma has cast a shadow over communities in Senegal for more than a century. This long-awaited validation is not only a milestone for public health but a powerful tribute to the tireless dedication of frontline health workers, communities, government leaders, and partners who never gave up. “Today, we close a chapter that began over a hundred years ago, united with pride, gratitude, and resolve. WHO remains committed to supporting Senegal as the country continues to lead in sustaining this hard-earned achievement,” said the WHO Representative in Senegal, Dr Jean-Marie Vianny Yameogo.

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Monday, said Nigeria has recorded 152 deaths from Lassa fever so far in 2025. The Case Fatality Rate now stands at 18.7 per cent, higher than the 17.3 per cent recorded during the same period in 2024. As of epidemiological Week 28, Nigeria has reported a total of 6,520 suspected cases and 811 confirmed cases across 21 states and 105 Local Government Areas. The NCDC also noted that the number of new confirmed cases in week 28 remained the same as in week 27, with fresh infections reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue states. A significant majority of 89 per cent of confirmed Lassa fever cases were recorded in five states -Ondo (32 per cent), Bauchi (23 per cent), Edo (17 per cent), Taraba (14 per cent), and Ebonyi (three per cent). The remaining 11 per cent of confirmed cases were reported from 16 other states. The most affected age group is between 21 and 30 years, with a median age of 30 years. The report stated, “In week 28, the number of new confirmed cases is the same as epi week 27 of 2025. These were reported in Ondo, Edo, and Benue States. “Cumulatively, as at week 28, 2025, 152 deaths have been reported with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) of 18.7 per cent, which is higher than the CFR for the same period in 2024 (17.3 per cent). In total for 2025, 21 States have recorded at least one confirmed case across 105 Local Government Areas. “Eighty-nine percent (89 per cent) of all confirmed Lassa fever cases were reported from five states (Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba, and Ebonyi), while 11 per cent were reported from 16 states with confirmed Lassa fever cases. Of the 89 per cent confirmed cases, Ondo reported 32 per cent, Bauchi 23 per cent, Edo 17 per cent, Taraba 14 per cent, and Ebonyi three per cent.” It added that there is no new healthcare worker affected in the reporting week 28, and the national Lassa fever multi-partner, multi-sectoral Technical Working Group is coordinating the response activities at all levels.

Raith Rovers stunned 10-man Falkirk with three late goals to ensure the Scottish Championship title race goes on and boost their own play-off hopes. The majority of the 7,500 crowd turned up hoping for a party, but the celebrations are on hold as defeat leaves John McGlynn's side three points clear of nearest challengers Livingston with two matches remaining. Falkirk, aiming for a return to the top flight for the first time 2010, have a vastly superior goal difference. So three points from games away to Partick Thistle - live on the BBC - and at home to Hamilton Accies should be enough to seal a second successive promotion. Calvin Miller cracked the hosts in front on 17 minutes following good work from Ethan Ross. After the interval, it took a super save from Josh Rae to deny Ross from close range. On the hour, the flow of the game changed when Sean Mackie picked up a second yellow card. Rovers enjoyed lots of possession after the dismissal but Falkirk goalkeeper Nicky Hogarth was well protected by his defence until Aiden Marsh squeezed in a header on 88 minutes. And the Kirkcaldy team found two more goals in stoppage time as Paul Hanlon crashed in a shot and Dylan Easton converted a penalty. The comeback moves Rovers level on points with fourth-placed Partick Thistle in the scrap for the last remaining play-off spot. Falkirk manager John McGlynn: "For an hour, we were very, very good. The sending off put us on the back foot and came back to bite us in the second half. "We're disappointed to come away with nothing when we put so much into it." Raith Rovers manager Barry Robson: "I didn't think there was much in the game when it was 11 v 11. We were really brave, really high pressing. "When the sending off happened it was just sheer belief, the players really wanting it. That's now eight games unbeaten."

The possibility of a "toxic Tynecastle", fans "voting with their feet" and questions being asked of head coach Neil Critchley amid a battle to stay clear of relegation trouble. The implications of Hearts' Scottish Cup semi-final defeat by Aberdeen have the potential to run deep no matter how brave their display was in the face of much Hampden adversity. Having also missed out on a top-six finish in the Scottish Premiership last weekend, what did we learn from that semi-final defeat and what does the immediate future hold for Critchley and for the Edinburgh club? Former Tynecastle striker and manager John Robertson suggested the game "kind of sums up the season" for Hearts. "Close but not quite close enough," he said on Sportsound. "Close to getting into the knockout stages of the Conference League, close to getting into the top six, close to getting it to penalties today, but not quite close enough." However, Robertson thought there was little more Critchley could have done, given Hearts were reduced to 10 men just before the break - when Michael Steinwender was sent off for a professional foul - then Cammy Devlin picked a second yellow card shortly before the Oday Dabbagh's late winner. "The first red, you couldn't really argue," he said. "The second, there's no intent from Devlin, he's just trying to hook the ball away and can't see the Aberdeen player. "They went to a 5-3-1, defended bravely and had sporadic attacks. It looked like they would get to the penalty kicks, but it was just pure numbers in the end. "For the amount of bravery and effort they put in, they didn't get what they deserved. Aberdeen weren't particularly great today, but they are through." Fellow pundit Leanne Crichton agreed with Robertson's pre-match suggestion that Tynecastle "could become a very toxic place until the end of the season". "For Hearts, it's a real sucker punch after also not making the top six," the former Scotland midfielder said. "A lot of home fans might decide to vote with their feet." BBC Scotland chief sports writer Tom English thought there were "nuances" to Hearts' latest failure. "I feel for Hearts because they emptied themselves with 10 men, then nine. They defended heroically for much of the afternoon. "Where does it leave Neil Critchley? It is just another kick to the solar plexus. No top six, no final, I don't know what the Hearts board are going to make of this." Critchley gave a confident "yes" when asked if he will be given time to steer his Hearts side to the "positive future" he envisages. His team head into the five remaining bottom six league games on the back of four games without a victory. "It really hurts," the head coach told BBC Scotland. "Gutted for the players, gutted for the supporters. "I thought we were brilliant. We were the better team in the first half and then to defend as well as we did for as long as we did with 10 men, I thought we showed real grit and character. "The least we deserved was to take it to penalties." One more point and they would have had an outside chance of European qualification, but last week's goalless draw with Motherwell means they are now only six points clear of Dundee in the relegation play-off spot. "I am not concerned because I see what we've got in the dressing room," Critchley insisted. "We are gutted right now, but we've got more than enough fight and character to be fine. "I have seen enough of this group to be positive about the future." Critchley thought decisions by referee John Beaton turned the game. Steinwender was ordered off for tripping Topi Keskinen some 45 yards from goal as he tore towards the Hearts box and Devlin was shown a second yellow shortly before Aberdeen's extra-time winner. "I have to be careful because I'll get into trouble, but the red came out very quickly and he was a long way from the goal," Critchley said of the first-half dismissal. "The second one has cost us the opportunity to go to penalties. Cammy shouldn't have been booked initially, then the second one, the player just gets in front of him. The referee has to show a bit of understanding of the situation." Hearts goalkeeper Craig Gordon, who scored a first half own goal when Pape Gueye's header struck him after cannoning against the bar, agreed. "We're pretty angry," he said. "I thought we were doing well. We were going to take it to penalty kicks and take our chances there. "Unfortunately, the big moment comes from a second yellow card for Cammy. I feel a little bit let down by that, but he's got that split second to make that decision. "The referee felt that was a yellow card. We obviously don't." Critchley insists that "one game can't change a strategy" as he looks to the longer term. With four teams below them, Hearts should have enough of a cushion to avoid that relegation play-off, but they must dust themselves down quickly. Dundee are their first visitors in the bottom six next Saturday and another defeat really would surely mean that "toxic Tynecastle" prediction would become a reality.