Rheumatic Fever Prevention Project – Throat swabbing in schools

This is a community-driven initiative that commenced in 2009.  With the guidance and learnings of Ngati Hine Trust (Northland), Te Ao Hou Trust and Whakatōhea Iwi Social and Health Services (WISH), successfully piloted the Throat-swabbing in schools project where community health workers visit Opotiki primary schools twice per week and take throat swabs from consented children reporting a sore throat.  The swabs are then tested for Group A Streptococcus (GAS) bacteria.

By detecting and treating strep throat in school children, rheumatic fever is less likely to develop. If ‘strep throat’ is diagnosed, the doctor prescribes a 10 day course of Penicillin and it is important that the whole 10 day course is completed to prevent rheumatic fever. The project team maintains contact with parents/whanau to answer any queries that may arise during the ten days of antibiotic treatment.  Swabbing of high-school age children commenced at Opotiki College in term 1 2010.

As a result of this pilot, Kawerau and Murupara have now implemented similar programmes locally.