Treating scabies and skin infections in children may prevent up to 25% of rheumatic heart disease cases, study finds.

A study in Tonga found that schoolchildren with both scabies and bacterial skin infections were nearly five times more likely to have rheumatic heart disease, with researchers estimating that eliminating these skin conditions could prevent up to a quarter of cases. Screening 400 children revealed scabies in nearly 30% and severe infections in 15.5%, with the combination showing a strong association, though causation was not proven. The findings support large-scale scabies treatment as a preventive strategy, prompting plans for a pilot project in Tonga and potential changes to Pacific-wide prevention efforts, especially in high-risk populations like Pacific Islanders and Māori in New Zealand.