An ancient disease is creating “havoc” among one of the world’s most impoverished and neglected populations, aid workers are warning. And the plight of the African pygmies is worsened by a catalogue of other woes, including slavery and war, they say.At least 3000 pygmies in the remote Likouala region of the Republic of Congo are threatened by “bush yaws”, also known as “pian”, says the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). So far the agency’s team based in the capital Brazzaville has managed to treat only 135 people due to difficulties in reaching the pygmies’ remote forest dwellings and a lack of funding.The highly contagious, flesh-eating disease, Treponema pertenue, is caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium related to syphilis. It is easily treated with a shot of penicillin and is disease primarily caused by poverty and lack of basic hygiene facilities. Access to soap and water is enough to prevent it.
