Hauora and public health organisations in the eastern Bay of Plenty are picking up a campaign that has reduced the risk of rheumatic fever among Opotiki schoolchildren.
Te Ao Hou Trust and Whakatohea Iwi health services have systematically swabbed children for strep throat, reducing the risk of sore throats developing into rheumatic fever.
Bay of Plenty medical officer of health Phil Shoemack says Eastern Bay Primary Health Alliance is carrying out throat swabs in Kawerau schools, and Te Ika Whenua Hauora starts its programme in Murupara next month.
Dr Shoemack says Maori children are more susceptible to rheumatic fever, and the swabbing campaign is based on a similar scheme in Whangaroa in Northland.
