Yaws in Southeast Asia: Towards Elimination

Abstract

Yaws is a chronic infectious disease caused by Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue, which causes disease of the skin, bones, and joints. Most cases are seen in young children living in remote communities in warm humid environments. Yaws is endemic in several countries in Asia, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Timor-Lester. Azithromycin is now the first line treatment for yaws and community mass treatment with azithromycin is the central component of the World Health Organization yaws eradication strategy.