WHO may review its yaws elimination strategy
©WHO/NTD
Yaws is a chronic infection that affects the skin, bone and cartilage.
Yaws is a chronic infection that affects the skin, bone and cartilage.
13 January 2012 | Geneva
A recent assessment has shown that a single dose of azithromycin is as effective in treating yaws as a single-injection of benzathine penicillin.
This finding provides huge potential for eliminating yaws by overcoming the limitations of an injectable antibiotic in mass treatment campaigns.
WHO will convene a technical meeting of experts in March 2012 to review the evidence and define ways forward for yaws elimination.