Rheumatic heart disease discussed at national conference but rates remain incredibly high

RISING rheumatic heart disease rates could hopefully be turned around within just a couple of years, if a plan is followed closely

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• THE end of RHD is near, say experts
• LONGFORM: THE cruel disease running rampant across the NT

RISING rheumatic heart disease rates could hopefully be turned around within just a couple of years, if a plan is followed closely.

Early next year the Telethon Kids Institute and End RHD Centre of Research Excellence will release their Endgame Report, with the aim to give community leaders more tools to combat the deadly disease.

Menzies School of Health Research paediatrician and senior research fellow Josh Francis said a presentation at the biennial Communicable Diseases Conference in Canberra showed there was positive news when it came to RHD “in the sense that there’s a really good plan coming together”.

“The new cases just keep coming so to empower local health workers to pick up cases early, get kids onto treatment early (will be a good thing),” he said. “We haven’t managed to turn the corner yet but we’d really hope to see that trajectory change over the next couple of years. It’s time to start turning this around and this report will hopefully be very instrumental in terms of that.”

He said local solutions would be crucial in reducing rates of RHD, including educational materials in local languages and improving hygiene, housing and laundry facilities.

In the Northern Territory, the rate of acute rheumatic fever diagnoses more than doubled during the four years to 2017, research revealed last month.

The conference also heard researchers have been looking at new formulations so that sufferers don’t have to have monthly penicillin injections for years.

Telethon Kids Institute executive director Jonathan Carapetis said the time had “never been better to control this disease”.

“For 25 years we’ve all been looking at silver bullets and not seeing improvements but we should have hope as we now pull together all we know especially the environmental determinants,” he said.

“We should be able to reduce RHD prevalence by 70 per cent.

“It’s complex but not overwhelming. It involves multiple sectors and a comprehensive response.”

Prof Carapetis said researchers were looking at new formulations so sufferers didn’t have to have monthly penicillin injections for years, the current medication.

National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation chief executive Pat Turner said RHD should not be an issue in Australia.

“The fact RHD persists in a country as wealthy as Australia is a national shame,” she said.

“Without urgent prevention, another 10,000 Aboriginal children will develop the disease before 2031. We cannot let it happen … Community driven work is key. Our communities are rising and demanding support.”

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RHD is the most important cause of acquired cardiovascular disease in children and young adults. Virtually non-existent in most of Australia, it predominantly affects Aboriginal communities.

The average age of death for people with RHD, a chronic disease, is 41.

It starts with a skin sore or sore throat. There is no cure.

Originally published as Rheumatic heart disease discussed at national conference but rates remain incredibly high