The parents of a young boy with rheumatic fever are urging adults, particularly in pacific communities, to take sore throats and rashes in children seriously.
Around 33 percent of last year's cases were among pacific peoples.
There is currently no vaccine, and if left untreated rheumatic fever can lead to heart disease and even death.
RNZ Pacific's Lydia Lewis has more.
Ne'emia family portrait Photo: Jenny Ne’emia
