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Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD)

Education webinar

On Wednesday, 6 September 2023 the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU), South East Public Health Unit (SEPHU) and the Department of Health ran an educational webinar and Q&A session focusing on acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD). The webinar covered an overview of the Victorian public health response; clinical aspects; and care pathways and resources available to clinicians. A recording of the webinar is available below.

Webinar recording

Notification process

Acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD) became routine notifiable conditions by medical practitioners on 31 July 2023, under Victoria’s Public Health and Wellbeing Regulations 2019.

Written notification of a case is required within five days of diagnosis. There is no ARF-specific diagnostic laboratory test. Notification therefore relies on clinical recognition and clinician-initiated reporting. You can make your notification using this form: Notification of Routine Condition form.

Upon receiving a notification, a member of the WPHU Health Protection team will reach out to the notifier to collect enhanced surveillance data and will be able to assist with referral pathways support.

Referral pathways

Paediatric referrals

For clinical advice on paediatric patients (up to 18 years of age) with suspected or confirmed acute rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease in the WPHU catchment please contact the below.

Urgent:

  • Infectious Diseases fellow on-call at the Royal Children’s Hospital (via hospital switchboard on 03 9345 5522)

Non urgent:

  • Dr Daniel Engelman, Paediatrician, Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH), at daniel.engelman@rch.org.au

Adult referrals

For clinical advice on adult patients with suspected or confirmed acute rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease in the WPHU catchment please contact the below.

Urgent:

  • Cardiology registrar at Western Health (WH), via hospital switchboard on 03 8345 6666

Non urgent:

  • Dr Ben Costello, Cardiologist, Western Health (WH), at ben.costello@wh.org.au

Resources

RHD Australia Guidelines
www.rhdaustralia.org.au/arf_rhd_guidelines_3.2_edition_march_2022.pdf

RHD Australia Guidelines Key Information
www.rhdaustralia.org.au/keyinfo.pdf

RHD CPD Modules
www.rhdaustralia.org.au/e-learning

ARF and RHD The Guidelines app
www.rhdaustralia.org.au/apps