A CAMPAIGN to eliminate a bacterial disease known as yaws is underway in Vanimo, West Sepik Province with assistance from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and the Australian government.

Yaws is caused by a bacteria and results in open sores on the skin. A condition prevalent among children between the ages of 2 to 15.
One million antibiotic (azithromycin) tablets were transported by PNGDF into Vanimo via Lae earlier this month aboard an Australian Defence Force (ADF) aircraft.
The medicines were donated by pharmaceutical company EMS Brazil through the World Health Organization (WHO).

Yaws is an infectious disease that mainly affects children. It can cause sores on the skin and damage to bones and joints if left untreated. The disease can be cured with a single dose of antibiotics.
Research conducted by the National Library of Medicine in 2002 suggests that Yaws is a re-emerging disease in the country and from the 277 children examined, 33 had evidence of primary yaws.
The antibiotics will be used in a mass drug administration campaign across West Sepik Province. The campaign aims to provide treatment to the entire population and help stop the spread of the disease.
In total, 50 pallets of medicines weighing around 6,800 kilograms will be transported from Lae to Vanimo over several flights.

The mass drug administration campaign is being led by the West Sepik Provincial Health Authority with support from Australia, the PNG National Department of Health (PNGNDoH), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In addition to helping eliminate yaws, the delivery of antibiotics is expected to provide wider health benefits by helping treat other infectious diseases and neglected tropical diseases in local communities.