Rheumatic fever fears

The impact of the pandemic is likely behind a drop in rheumatic fever cases diagnosed last year, concerning an expert who says cases may have been missed.

New data released by Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR) showed there were 88 cases of rheumatic fever – a condition that kills about 130 New Zealanders every year – diagnosed. That was down from 154 in 2020.

Rheumatic fever is rare in developed countries, but New Zealand’s rates of the disease, particularly in indigenous and Pacific young people, have been labelled ‘‘extraordinarily high’’ and ‘‘shameful’’ by public health experts.

It is especially prevalent in areas such as south Auckland.

The illness starts with a sore throat, caused by Group A Streptococcal bacteria.

If the strep throat isn’t treated, it can cause rheumatic fever, a delayed autoimmune reaction, which can lead to permanent heart valve damage (rheumatic heart disease).