Acute rheumatic fever
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Fact sheet - Health conditions directory.
Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) is a notifiable disease that can occur following an infection caused by the Group A Streptococcus bacterium (Strep). If untreated, a Strep infection (ie a 'strep throat' or skin infection) can lead to inflammation in other parts of the body, particularly the joints, brain and heart. Without regular antibiotic treatment, further episodes of ARF can lead to serious damage of the heart valves. This is known as rheumatic heart disease (RHD).
Risk groups for ARF
At high risk
- Living in an ARF-endemic setting (e.g. ARF incidence >30/100,000 per year in 5 to 14-year-olds or RHD prevalence >2/1000).
- Aboriginal and /or Torres Strait Islander peoples living in rural or remote settings;
- Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, and Maori/or Pacific Islander peoples living in metropolitan households affected by crowding and/or lower socioeconomic status.
- Personal history of ARF/RHD and aged >40 years.
- Family or household recent history of ARF/RHD.
May be at high risk/additional considerations
- Family or household recent history of ARF/RHD.
- Household overcrowding (2 or more people per bedroom) or low socioeconomic status.
- Migrant or refugee from low-or middle-income country and their children.
- Prior residence in or frequent recent travel to a high ARF risk setting.
- Aged 5 to 20 years (peak years for ARF).
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Attending medical practitioners/medical superintendents (or delegates)
- Notification criteria
- Notification procedure
- Download the Notification form for clinicians (PDF, 379kB)
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions
- List of Public Health Unit contacts
Clinical guidelines
Resources for health professionals
- RHD Australia website – information and resources for families, community and health care workers; including professional development and rheumatic heart disease programs.
RHD Register and Control Program Qld – phone: 1300 429 536 email: ArfRhdRegister@health.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 5 June 2023
