Gavin Wheaton still remembers seeing his first case of rheumatic heart disease in the Central Australian town of Yuendumu 40 years ago. Now, he's one of a group of cardiologists travelling remote areas screening for the disease.
abc.net.au/news/deadly-heart-trek-cardiologists-rheumatic-heart-disease/102123568Gavin Wheaton was only 26 years old when he saw his first case of rheumatic heart disease.
The fever originates from inadequately treated skin or throat infection caused by the group A streptococcus bacteria. Now, the team travelling through Central Australia consists of 21 volunteer cardiologists, sonographers, general doctors, First Nations guides and educators. "Our aim, then, is to detect [it] early, before it's become more severe, and to initiate treatment and follow up for these kids."Dr Wheaton said conversations about the disease had to go beyond diagnosis and treatment, and to the often poor standards of living that spread the infection.
"It's highly likely, because they're living in the conditions that acute rheumatic fever thrives in."Dr Wheaton said it was evident the success rates of current treatment could be improved by the development of alternative treatment options — and ultimately, the delivery of a long-awaited vaccine. In a statement, federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the government remained committed to ending rheumatic heart disease as a public health issue by 2030.
España Últimas Noticias, España Titulares
Similar News:También puedes leer noticias similares a ésta que hemos recopilado de otras fuentes de noticias.
First Nations flood survivors 'out in the bush and left in the dark'Some remote communities hit by flooding in the Gulf of Carpentaria say having a representative on a Voice to Parliament may be the key to them receiving better support in future disasters.
Leer más »
There is a world between Canberra and Australia's First Nations. Can politics speak in our language?Referendums are hard won and the words of the Voice have been crafted for a political campaign. Can the Voice take the words of Canberra and speak them in our languages, asks Stan Grant.
Leer más »
Now we know the Voice to Parliament question, what's next for the referendum?Australians now know the wording of the First Nations Voice to Parliament referendum. Here's what comes next.
Leer más »
Australia's first endometriosis clinics roll out nationallyThe illness affects 1 in 9 women across Australia. 9News
Leer más »
Intersex rights against medical intervention promised in Australian-first lawsNew laws to prevent medical intervention being forced on intersex people have been introduced for the first time in Australia.
Leer más »
Five dead as Tanzania detects its first-ever cases of the highly fatal Marburg viral diseaseTanzania confirms its first-ever cases of Marburg, a high-fatality viral haemorrhagic fever with symptoms broadly similar to those of Ebola, the World Health Organisation says.
Leer más »