Rheumatic fever, an illness many wealthy countries have stamped out, is on the rise again in New Zealand. Last year nearly 200 people suffered their first bout of the auto-immune disease - the highest numbers in nearly a decade. Many experts think it's shameful the illness, that is triggered by a strep infection such as a sore throat, hasn't been eradicated in this country.
Joseph Tuala Photo: screenshot
Rheumatic fever can result in heart damage and those affected face a lifelong the struggle. Joseph Tuala, a 45-year-old father of four, suffered 3 bouts of rheumatic fever as a boy and spent many months in hospital.
That time was hard to cope with as a young child and gut wrenching for his family. Often his parents couldn't visit as he had other siblings who needed looking after, his parents worked and they lived some distance from the hospital.
Joseph's youngest child has just started school and he has plans to go to university, but at the same time his heart is now badly damaged.
On Insight this on Sunday, Philippa Tolley hears how rheumatic fever can devastate families.
