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News & Events
$35 million to develop vaccine with potential to save half a million lives per yearA vaccine to prevent rheumatic heart disease (RHD) and other life-threatening conditions caused by the common Strep A bacteria is a step closer thanks to funding announced by Minister for Indigenous Health, Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, in Perth today.

News & Events
Ending deadly heart disease finally within our sightsIt's been a huge year for those working to eliminate rheumatic heart disease (RHD), with breakthroughs including $35M in funding to develop a Strep A vaccine.

News & Events
Finding answers for Tenaya: from a sore throat to open-heart surgeryWhen Katrina took her daughter Tenaya to the local emergency department for the fourth time, she was determined she wouldn’t be leaving without answers.

News & Events
National honour for The Kids DirectorLeading paediatrician, infectious diseases specialist and Executive Director of The Kids Research Institute Australia, Professor Jonathan Carapetis, has been recognised for his significant contribution towards medical research with the award of Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Research
Pattern of hospital admissions and costs associated with acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease in Australia, 2012–2017This study aims to describe the pattern and trends in acute rheumatic fever (ARF)/rheumatic heart disease (RHD)-related hospitalisations and costs for Australians aged <65 years.

News & Events
Expert researchers converge on Broome to tackle health challenges in Northern AustraliaOver 100 researchers and health professionals from around Australia have united in Broome this week to address the major health battles facing people living in the tropical north of the country.
Research
Secondary Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Latent Rheumatic Heart DiseaseRheumatic heart disease affects more than 40.5 million people worldwide and results in 306,000 deaths annually. Echocardiographic screening detects rheumatic heart disease at an early, latent stage. Whether secondary antibiotic prophylaxis is effective in preventing progression of latent rheumatic heart disease is unknown.
Research
A population pharmacokinetic study of benzathine benzylpenicillin G administration in children and adolescents with rheumatic heart diseaseFew children and adolescents receiving BPG as secondary prophylaxis will achieve concentrations >0.02 mg/L for the majority of the time between injections
Research
Availability and administration of benzathine penicillin G for the prevention of rheumatic fever in Africa: Report of the Working Group on PenicillinBenzathine penicillin G availability should be addressed and African health workers’ knowledge and practices need to be augmented