Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD)

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is an abnormal autoimmune response as a result of untreated group A streptococcal (GAS) or strep A infection.

Strep A bacteria causes infection in the throat and skin. This can result in an abnormal inflammatory illness in some people.

Symptoms of ARF are associated with the large joints, brain, skin and heart.

ARF can lead to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) which is damage to one or more heart valves, affecting the function of the heart.

Australia has the highest documented rates of ARF and RHD in the world. It disproportionately affects Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander people.

The Northern Territory (NT) has the highest rate of diagnoses in Australia.

Notifiable disease

ARF and RHD are notifiable diseases in the NT.

To notify ARF and RHD, contact the RHD program.

Information for health professionals, patients, families and the community

The RHD Program has a wide range of resources and information that is relevant to the NT.

It includes:

• the NT RHD Register
• guidelines
• fact sheets
• videos
• professional development.

Read more about the RHD Program.

Contact

Top End RHD Program  
RHDTopEnd.health@nt.gov.au
08 8922 8454

Central Australia RHD Program  
RHDCentral.Health@nt.gov.au
08 8951 6909

You can also contact the Public Health unit’s CDC.