• Michael Marks, Oriol Mitjà, Anthony W Solomon, Kingsley B Asiedu, and David C Mabey.
• Clinical Research Department, Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London WC1E 7HT, UK Hospital for Tropical Diseases, University College London Hospitals NHS Trust, Mortimer Market, London WC1E 6JB, UK michael.marks@lshtm.ac.uk.
• Br. Med. Bull. 2015 Jan 1; 113: 91-100.

IntroductionYaws, caused by Treponema pallidum ssp. pertenue, is endemic in parts of West Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific. The WHO has launched a campaign based on mass treatment with azithromycin, to eradicate yaws by 2020.Sources Of DataWe reviewed published data, surveillance data and data presented at yaws eradication meetings.Areas Of AgreementAzithromycin is now the preferred agent for treating yaws. Point-of-care tests have demonstrated their value in yaws.Areas Of ControversyThere is limited data from 76 countries, which previously reported yaws. Different doses of azithromycin are used in community mass treatment for yaws and trachoma.Growing PointsYaws eradication appears an achievable goal. The programme will require considerable support from partners across health and development sectors.Areas Timely For Developing ResearchStudies to complete baseline mapping, integrate diagnostic tests into surveillance and assess the impact of community mass treatment with azithromycin are ongoing.© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press.

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