Yaws, a neglected tropical disease (NTD) targeted for elimination in Cameroon: national database analysis (2014-2021) reveals Strengthening early detection and raising confirmation rate might contribute to reach the elimination goal
1
1 Department for Disease, Epidemics and Pandemics Control, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
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2 National Yaws, Leprosy, Leishmaniasis and Buruli Ulcer Control Program, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
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3 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon
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4 National Human African Trypanosomiasis Control Program, Ministry of Public Health, Yaounde, Cameroon
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A505
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
In 2021, WHO reported 1102 confirmed cases of Yaws in 13 countries worldwide(1). In its 2020-2024 strategic plan for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control, Cameroon set the goal of eradicating Yaws by 2024(2). Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data on Yaws surveillance in Cameroon. We analyzed Cameroon's Yaws database in order to describe surveillance indicators of Yaws.
METHODS:
We reviewed retrospectively routine surveillance data from 2014 to 2021. A Yaws suspected case was any person residing in an endemic area (past or present) with active yaws lesions on clinical examination. Laboratory conformation was either by a Dual Path Platform (DPP) test or by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We extracted the surveillance database from District Health Information System version 2. We analyzed prevalence, case distribution, monthly reports completeness and timeliness, sociodemographic data, clinical presentation, confirmation rate and treatment outcome. We displayed results using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
We found 3,093 suspected yaws cases (M/F sex ratio 3:2). The prevalence was 2.19/10,000 inhabitants, mainly in Adamawa region 2,780 (89.9%). Yaws was endemic in 29 Health Districts (HD) especially in Bankim-Adamawa HD (89.9% of cases). The timeliness and completeness reports was 47.5% (1,8627/39,216) and 89.5% (35,083/39,216) respectively. Under 15years Children were the most affected 2,650(86%). Limb ulcers represented 70% (2,140) of clinical presentation. The case confirmation rate was 1.4% (43/3,093) of which 49% (21) confirmed by DPP and 51% (23) by PCR. Treated cases represented 96% (2,953/3,093) of which 61% (1,797) were cured.
CONCLUSIONS:
In 7 years the Yaws prevalence was relatively low and predominant in a young population. Adamawa-region had the heaviest burden and the confirmation rate of suspected cases is still low. Strengthening surveillance system and dissemination of diagnostic tools in affected areas to enhance early detection and treatment of confirmed cases might contribute to reach the eradication goal.
In 2021, WHO reported 1102 confirmed cases of Yaws in 13 countries worldwide(1). In its 2020-2024 strategic plan for Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD) control, Cameroon set the goal of eradicating Yaws by 2024(2). Nevertheless, there is a paucity of data on Yaws surveillance in Cameroon. We analyzed Cameroon's Yaws database in order to describe surveillance indicators of Yaws.
METHODS:
We reviewed retrospectively routine surveillance data from 2014 to 2021. A Yaws suspected case was any person residing in an endemic area (past or present) with active yaws lesions on clinical examination. Laboratory conformation was either by a Dual Path Platform (DPP) test or by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). We extracted the surveillance database from District Health Information System version 2. We analyzed prevalence, case distribution, monthly reports completeness and timeliness, sociodemographic data, clinical presentation, confirmation rate and treatment outcome. We displayed results using descriptive statistics.
RESULTS:
We found 3,093 suspected yaws cases (M/F sex ratio 3:2). The prevalence was 2.19/10,000 inhabitants, mainly in Adamawa region 2,780 (89.9%). Yaws was endemic in 29 Health Districts (HD) especially in Bankim-Adamawa HD (89.9% of cases). The timeliness and completeness reports was 47.5% (1,8627/39,216) and 89.5% (35,083/39,216) respectively. Under 15years Children were the most affected 2,650(86%). Limb ulcers represented 70% (2,140) of clinical presentation. The case confirmation rate was 1.4% (43/3,093) of which 49% (21) confirmed by DPP and 51% (23) by PCR. Treated cases represented 96% (2,953/3,093) of which 61% (1,797) were cured.
CONCLUSIONS:
In 7 years the Yaws prevalence was relatively low and predominant in a young population. Adamawa-region had the heaviest burden and the confirmation rate of suspected cases is still low. Strengthening surveillance system and dissemination of diagnostic tools in affected areas to enhance early detection and treatment of confirmed cases might contribute to reach the eradication goal.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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