Warnings Wellington health professionals should be on the look out for Rheumatic fever

The region's had nine cases this year - up from no more than two in the past seven years, at this stage in the year.

Wellington's Regional Public Health service says all but one of the nine live in Porirua or Lower Hutt - and all of them are Maori or Samoan.

Young people, Maori, Pacific people and those in crowded housing are at higher risk.

Common symptoms in young people may include painful or swollen joints, fever, shortness of breath and tiredness.