Yaws in Suriname.

Frambesia tropica, or yaws, is still prevalent in the urban population of some of the districts in Suriname. In 1911 a campaign against yaws, probably the first such campaign in the world involving treatment with salvarsan, was organized. It resulted in the rapid cure of all hospitalized patients. As a consequence of this success, the disease became less important to the medical authorities in the country. After introduction of penicillin (1945) for the treatment of yaws, the disease almost disappeared in Suriname. After 1970 new cases were diagnosed, and the resurgence of yaws in Suriname became apparent. The symptoms in these cases were attenuated in comparison to those described in standard handbooks. A survey of yaws in the different districts of Suriname was undertaken to determine the prevalence of the disease and its spread through the country in order to plan a new treatment campaign.