India becomes first YAWS-free country in the world.

India was acknowledged as the first country in the world to become YAWS-free by the WHO.

-YAWS is a kind of bacterial infection that affects skin, bones and joints, while tetanus, another bacterial infection, leads to muscle spasms that can be fatal.

-India has achieved the milestone of being YAWS-free much before the WHO global target year of 2020.

-India also declared free of Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus (MNTE) by the WHO.

YAWS in India (Earlier)

Both achievements will not only improve the health of marginalized communities, but will also enhance their socio-economic status and contribute to India’s wider development.

After India’s success in MNTE, Indonesia was validated for the same on 18 May this year. With this the entire WHO South-East Asia Region has achieved elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus. WHO SEAR is the second WHO region, after European Region, to achieve MNTE.

Neonatal tetanus is a severe, often fatal disease caused by a toxin of Clostridium tetani. It's associated with nonsterile delivery and cord-care practices.

Newborns with neonatal tetanus stop feeding. Their bodies become stiff and severe muscle contractions and spasms occur. Death follows in most cases.