The end of RHD is near, say experts
THERE will be no new cases of rheumatic heart disease within just 20 years now a vaccine for the deadly disease has been fast-tracked, say Territory health experts
Northern Territory
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THERE will be no new cases of rheumatic heart disease within just 20 years now a vaccine for the deadly disease has been fast-tracked, say Territory health experts.
Australian Medical Association NT branch president Rob Parker welcomed the Federal Government’s $35 million investment into developing a RHD vaccine.
Dr Parker said people who already had RDH would not be cured but it would prevent others from developing it.
The funding commitment will allow the manufacture and testing of a number of vaccines currently being developed, and fast-tracking and funding of clinical trials in Australia.
“It’s an excellent investment into the health of Australians,” Dr Parker said.
“It will wipe out the disease entirely in 10-20 years.”
RHD is a complication of bacterial Streptococcus A infections of the throat and skin.
Strep A and RHD are major causes of death around the world, with Strep A killing more than 500,000 people each year. Australia has one of the highest incidences of RHD in the world.
NT Health Minister Natasha Fyles also welcomed the Commonwealth commitment.
“Rheumatic heart disease has been a challenge – partially here in the Territory – for our indigenous Territorians,” she said.
“It’s something that we’ve worked with the Commonwealth Government around.”
RDH is the leading cause of cardiovascular inequality between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians and is most commonly seen in adolescents and young adults.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are 64 times more likely than non-indigenous people to develop RHD, and nearly 20 times as likely to die from it.
Every year in Australia, nearly 250 children are diagnosed with acute rheumatic fever at an average age of 10 years.
Between 50 and 150 people, mainly indigenous children or adolescents, die from RHD every year.
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