An outbreak of acute rheumatic fever in a remote Aboriginal community.

Objectives: We describe the public health response to an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever (ARF) in a remote Aboriginal community.

Methods: In August 2021, the Northern Territory Rheumatic Heart Disease Control Program identified an outbreak of acute rheumatic fever in a remote Aboriginal community. A public health response was developed using a modified acute poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis protocol and the National Acute Rheumatic Fever Guideline for Public Health Units.

Genomic Evidence of In-Flight SARS-CoV-2 Transmission, India to Australia, April 2021.

Epidemiologic and genomic investigation of SARS-CoV-2 infections associated with 2 repatriation flights from India to Australia in April 2021 indicated that 4 passengers transmitted SARS-CoV-2 to >11 other passengers. Results suggest transmission despite mandatory mask use and predeparture testing. For subsequent flights, predeparture quarantine and expanded predeparture testing were implemented.

The role of social determinants of health in the risk and prevention of group A streptococcal infection, acute rheumatic fever and rheumatic heart disease: A systematic review.

Background: Rheumatic heart disease (RHD) poses a major disease burden among disadvantaged populations globally. It results from acute rheumatic fever (ARF), a complication of Group A Streptococcal (GAS) infection. These conditions are acknowledged as diseases of poverty, however the role of specific social and environmental factors in GAS infection and progression to ARF/RHD is not well understood.

Effect of an ageing population on services for the elderly in the Northern Territory.

Objective The aim of the present study was to describe the elderly population of the Northern Territory (NT), explore the challenges of delivering aged care services to this population and implications for the acute care sector. Methods Data gathered from a variety of sources were used to describe the demographic and health profile of elderly Territorians, the aged care structure and services in the NT, and admission trends of elderly patients in NT hospitals. Information regarding NT community and residential aged care services was sourced from government reports.

A retrospective population-based study of induction of labour trends and associated factors among aboriginal and non-aboriginal mothers in the northern territory between 2001 and 2012.

Background: Induction of labour (IOL) has become more common among many populations, but the trends and drivers of IOL in the Northern Territory (NT) of Australia are not known. This study investigated trends in IOL and associated factors among NT Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal mothers between 2001 and 2012.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of all NT resident women who birthed in the NT between 2001 and 2012 at ≥32 weeks gestation.