FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 26, 2005

RARE CASE OF TETANUS SERVES AS A REMINDER TO GET VACCINATED

The Westchester County Department of Health announced today that an adult County resident has been diagnosed with a case of tetanus. The patient is being treated appropriately and is recovering at a local hospital. Within the last fifteen years, only three other cases of tetanus have been diagnosed in Westchester County.

“What we know about this current tetanus case is that the patient was injured with a cut prior to diagnosis and had no known history of having had a tetanus shot within the past ten years,” said Joshua Lipsman, M.D., M.P.H., Westchester County Commissioner of Health. “This case serves as an important reminder that adults need to keep their tetanus vaccinations up-to-date in order to be protected against this serious illness,” he added.

Tetanus, commonly called lockjaw, is a bacterial disease that affects the nervous system. It is contracted through a cut or wound that becomes contaminated with tetanus bacteria. The bacteria can enter the body through even a tiny pinprick or scratch, and deep puncture wounds or cuts like those made by nails or knives are especially susceptible to infection with tetanus. In the United States, tetanus cases average between 50 and 100 per year, mostly in under-immunized older adults. Approximately 30% of the people who get tetanus die as a result.

Tetanus bacteria are present worldwide and are commonly found in soil, dust and manure. The time between an injury and the occurrence of first symptoms is typically less than two weeks but may range from two days to several months. Common first signs of tetanus are a headache and muscular stiffness in the jaw (lockjaw) followed by stiffness of the neck, difficulty in swallowing, rigidity of abdominal muscles, spasms, sweating and fever.

MORE

TETANUS CASE P.2

Vaccination is the best way to protect against tetanus. Most people are first immunized against tetanus in childhood by a 3-in-1 vaccine referred to as DPT. The DPT shot immunizes against diphtheria, pertussis (whooping cough) and tetanus. After childhood, a booster shot for diphtheria and tetanus is needed every ten years.

Adults who were not vaccinated against tetanus as children must complete a three shot series which consists of an initial shot, a second shot given four to eight weeks after the first, and a third shot given six to twelve months after that. A booster shot is needed at least every ten years thereafter. Tetanus vaccine may also be given to an adult receiving care for a wound or injury that breaks the skin. Typically, a booster is given if the wound is dirty and the last booster shot was given more than five years prior to the injury.

The tetanus vaccine is very safe and effective. When side effects do occur, they are usually mild and include soreness, redness or swelling at the injection site and a slight fever. A person cannot become infected with tetanus through the vaccine.

For more information, contact the Health Department at (914) 813-5000 or visit www.westchestergov.com/health.

-30-