A potential vaccine for streptococcal infections is being tipped as a game changer in remote communities after a recent outbreak was detected in Cape York.

Key points: A vaccine for streptococcal infections is to be trialled in two health clinics

A vaccine for streptococcal infections is to be trialled in two health clinics The disease is contracted after bacteria enters the body through cuts and grazes

The disease is contracted after bacteria enters the body through cuts and grazes A streptococcal outbreak was recently detected in five Cape York children

Griffith University researchers, who have been developing the vaccine for more than 20 years and testing it on lab mice, announced on Thursday that it would be trialled in two health clinics in Canada and Australia.

Michael Good said a vaccine for the disease was important in Australia's remote communities.

"Our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations suffer some of the highest rates of streptococcal in the world," Professor Good said.

"So it's important that we in Australia take this disease seriously and do what we can to develop vaccines and treatments for it."

The disease, which is contracted through cuts and grazes, can lead to other debilitating conditions in the kidneys and the heart.

Professor Good said it had the potential to impact upon people for the majority of their lives.

"Streptococcal disease affects young people [and] rheumatic heart disease starts in the early years of childhood," he said.

"So, as well as taking away years of life, it affects the quality of life. A vaccination would change that."

Cape York outbreak

A recent streptococcal outbreak was detected in Cape York where kidney disease, related to strep bacteria, was detected in five children.

Jordan Myles (middle right) had two children treated after a strep outbreak in their community. ( Supplied: Jordan Myles )

In response, the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service screened more than 1,300 children in the communities of Weipa, Mapoon, and Napranum.

Weipa mother Jordan Myles had two children treated under the program.

"Just due to a sore throat and some cuts on their body they received the needle that was offered to anyone," Ms Myles said.

"It was pretty concerning knowing that kids were outside playing and falling over and always getting scratched up."

Ms Myles said she would consider using a vaccination for the disease.

"Compared to what they could get and end up with in the outbreaks up here, I definitely would do it," she said.

'Neglected disease'

Professor Good labelled streptococcal "a neglected disease" and said it did not receive the attention it warranted from health authorities across the world.

"Streptococcal disease causes as many deaths, if not more, than malaria," he said.

"But the amount of interest in it and funding for the research lags well behind.

"There's probably only three or four clinical trials occurring worldwide right now and there are hundreds for malaria."