Yaws is a chronic bacterial infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pertenue. It is one of the three types of endemic treponematoses, the other two being bejel and pinta. Yaws is primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, where it is considered a neglected tropical disease.
The disease is transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact with an infected person, usually during childhood. It causes a variety of symptoms, including skin lesions, bone and joint pain, and swelling of the lymph nodes. The skin lesions, which are the most common symptom of yaws, usually start as small, raised bumps that later develop into larger, ulcerated sores.
Yaws can be easily treated with a single dose of penicillin or other antibiotics, but if left untreated, it can cause severe disfigurement and disability. The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a global campaign to eradicate yaws by 2030, which involves treating affected individuals with antibiotics and implementing measures to prevent its spread.