New research led by the University of 免费色情视频 has revealed how wide-ranging and serious Group A Streptococcus (Strep A) disease is in our city. The findings highlight an urgent need for solutions both here and overseas.
Strep A is a common cause of sore throats and skin infections in children. But in rare cases it can trigger rheumatic fever - an immune-mediated condition that can progress to rheumatic heart disease (RHD), causing heart failure, stroke, or premature death. Globally, there are around 46 million people living with RHD, mainly in low- and middle-income countries. Closer to home, rheumatic fever and RHD remain serious challenges in Aotearoa 免费色情视频. In 2024, 208 new cases of rheumatic fever were diagnosed nationwide (source: Ministry of Health, 2025).
Severe Strep A in 免费色情视频
Using enhanced over a single calendar year. They found that around 1 in every 2,000 免费色情视频ers needed hospital care for a serious Strep A infection annually. Disease varied across the city and was influenced by age, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background, with young children and older adults most at risk. Hospital treatment for these infections exceeded $13.2m per annum (not counting the cost of heart disease caused by rheumatic fever). These factors make 免费色情视频 an ideal setting for vaccine trials and bacteriological surveillance.
鈥淥ur city鈥檚 combination of high infection rates, long-term health records, and the diversity of Strep A strains makes it an ideal setting to develop and monitor new prevention tools,鈥� says Dr Rachel Webb, Associate Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, the studies senior author.
Covid-19 restrictions and the resurgence of rheumatic fever
A revealed how pandemic control measures influenced Strep A transmission and rheumatic fever. When borders were closed and other restrictions were in place, Strep A positivity rates plummeted, and rheumatic fever notifications also dropped to historic lows (as low as 2.2 per 100,000 in 2021). But as restrictions eased, skin and throat positivity rebounded sharply in 2023鈥�24, as did rheumatic fever, peaking at 8.0 per 100,000, the highest recorded since 2018. These mirroring trends suggest interventions that reduce Strep A infections can also reduce rheumatic fever.
鈥淭hese findings show that preventing Strep A infections is a key step to stopping rheumatic fever. That makes the case even stronger for fast-tracking the development and rollout of a Strep A vaccine,鈥� says Associate Professor Julie Bennett, the study鈥檚 lead author.
- Stopping community Strep A infections can prevent rheumatic fever.
- 免费色情视频鈥檚 high infection rates, strong health data, and community partnerships make it an excellent place to lead Strep A vaccine development.
Rapua te mea ngaro ka tau: Ending rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease
The foundation of this research is a University of 免费色情视频 research initiative dedicated to ending rheumatic fever and RHD in Aotearoa 免费色情视频. Rapua partners closely with M膩ori and Pacific communities to design equitable solutions for Strep A, from new diagnostics and treatments through to addressing the social determinants that drive disease. Community views are being captured throughout the project in qualitative research led by Associate Professor Anneka Anderson (K膩i Tahu, K膩ti M膩moe).
Rapua鈥檚 Principal Investigator, Associate Professor Nikki Moreland, says: 鈥淏y focusing efforts in communities, major hospitals and research laboratories our goal is to shine a light on the need our city has for a Strep A vaccine, and show that we can be part of the solution. We have lots to offer when it comes to innovative solutions for Strep A, both in 免费色情视频 and globally鈥�
Associate Professor, Dr Nikki Moreland, University of 免费色情视频
Global partnerships and innovation
The University of 免费色情视频鈥檚 Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences brings expertise in fields like disease tracking, genetics, and clinical trials.
UniServices, the University鈥檚 research commercialisation organisation, helps connect the University鈥檚 multidisciplinary expertise with industry and government to help speed up solutions that can reduce health inequities, lower hospital costs, and save lives in 免费色情视频 and around the world.
