Some aspects of epidemiology and surveillance of rheumatic fever.

SummaryThe aim of the study was to find the most reliable and precise incidence of rheumatic fever attacks in the general population. All new cases of rheumatic fever were recorded in an area of 100,000 population. The frequency of first attacks and recurrences decreased from 53 per 100,000 inhabitants to 15 in 1968. Less pronounced was the fall in the incidence of first attacks. The prevalence of rheumatic heart diseases in the studied group of patients was relatively low.Epidemiological studies are one of the most important components of the surveillance of rheumatic fever. Further important tasks are early diagnosis and hospitalization, introduction of adequate therapy and (effective) prophylactic measures, with periodic checkups.