A new study showing a link between skin disease and heart damage in Tongan schoolchildren could help those at risk in New Zealand

Auckland University researchers found children with both scabies and a bacterial skin infection were almost five times more likely to have rheumatic heart disease compared with children with healthy skin.

Senior lecturer in epidemiology and biostatistics at Auckland University, Simon Thornley, says many things could be done to improve treatment here.

He says there's a PCR test that could be brought in, health professionals could be upskilled and more funding for follow up visits.
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