An outreach education and treatment project in Ghana for the early stage of Mycobacterium ulcerans disease.

Mycobacterium ulcerans disease starts as a painless, subcutaneous nodule, excision of which prevents the development of large Buruli ulcers. An outreach programme was set up in Ghana to promote nodule recognition and excision. The programme was cost-effective and shifted the pattern of disease presentation. This could from a model for other countries.