Facts
Did you know...
• Rheumatic fever is a serious disease that
can lead to permanent heart damage
• It is almost three times more common in
the Bay of Plenty than in New Zealand
overall
• Maori and Pacific children aged
between 5 -14 years are most at risk of
developing rheumatic fever
• Rheumatic fever is preventable provided
sore throats are treated correctly
• An untreated sore throat (‘strep throat’)
can cause rheumatic fever
• If a child complains of a sore throat
make sure they are checked by a doctor
• If a ‘strep throat’ is diagnosed, the
doctor will usually prescribe a 10 day
course of antibiotics
• It is important to complete the whole 10
day course to prevent rheumatic fever
from developing
• Sore throats matter – get them checked!
Official launch of the Kawerau
Rheumatic Fever Campaign
Another important step towards reducing rheumatic fever among Bay of Plenty children
was taken on 20 May with the official launch of a school-based throat swabbing programme
in Kawerau.
Led by Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance and
supported by Bay of Plenty District Health Board and Toi
Te Ora – Public Health Service, the progamme involves
community health workers asking children if they have
a sore throat and offering a throat swab as required.
Part of a Baywide drive to reduce this preventable
disease, the Kawerau launch was celebrated with
presentations of framed pamphlets by Tony Ryall,
Minister of Health to the three children who have
made a great contribution to raising awareness
locally. Tutohia Huriwaka from Opotiki, Michael Savage
from Kawerau and Mersayde Akuhata from Murupara
feature in the pamphlets and share their stories about
rheumatic fever. “By doing so, you have helped to
raise awareness, and show everyone the importance
of early detection and treatment of sore throats, so
we can prevent the tragedy that rheumatic fever may
bring,” said Mr Ryall.
The rheumatic fever prevention campaign was first
launched in Opotiki and due to the success of this
project similar campaigns have been established in
Kawerau and Murupara, which also experience high
rates of rheumatic fever.
Rheumatic fever often starts with a sore throat (a
streptococcal infection). A few weeks later the child
may develop sore or swollen joints, skin rash, fever,
stomach pain and jerky movements. Although these
symptoms may disappear, the heart valves may be
damaged and this damage may be permanent. A
child diagnosed with rheumatic fever requires longterm follow up including monthly injections of penicillin
to stop further attacks.
“Fortunately, rheumatic fever is preventable, provided
sore throats are treated correctly. If your child complains
of a sore throat take them to the local health centre to
be checked. If a ‘strep throat’ is diagnosed, the doctor
will usually prescribe a 10 day course of antibiotics,”
says Dr Jim Miller, Medical Officer of Health for Toi Te
Ora – Public Health Service.
Free ‘Preventing Rheumatic Fever’ pamphlets and
posters are available from Toi Te Ora - Public Health
Service. For further information phone Lindsay Lowe,
Rheumatic Fever Co-ordinator (07) 577 3790 or 0800
221 555.
Photo: Tony Ryall, Minister of Health; Michael Savage; Liisa Wana, Lead Community Health Worker;
Melissa Bennett, Community Health Worker.
For further information go to
www.toiteorapublichealth.govt.nz
or talk to your doctor
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