Table 1 Specific rheumatic fever surveillance improvements identified by the surveillance sector review
From: Improving rheumatic fever surveillance in New Zealand: results of a surveillance sector review
High priority recommendations | Medium priority recommendations |
|---|---|
• Develop a comprehensive RF surveillance strategy to provide sector leadership and coordination | • Establish systematic surveillance for GAS pharyngitis to characterise the epidemiology and microbiology of this condition |
• Establish integrated national analysis and regular reporting of RF surveillance data including epidemiological, laboratory and intervention data | • Implement periodic surveys investigating how primary care clinicians manage pharyngitis cases |
• Implement a national RF register with the capacity to support effective case management and strategy-focused surveillance | • Implement periodic surveys to measure public response to RF messages |
• Review the RF surveillance case definition and clarify inclusion of RHD cases in young people | • Integrate regular analysis of RHD incidence and mortality data into comprehensive RF surveillance reporting |
• Expand the range of determinant, risk factor and protective factor data collected on RF cases | • Develop an evidence-based national strategy for echocardiography screening for RHD |
• Establish systematic national reporting on coverage and outcomes of throat swabbing clinics |  |