Tetanus

No current outbreak declared. 2 case(s) recorded in 2024 (historical). Zero-tolerance monitoring active — any confirmed case triggers an alert.

What is it?

Tetanus is caused by the toxin of Clostridium tetani, bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure that enter through skin wounds. NYS had 2 cases in 2024. Tetanus is not spread from person-to-person — it comes from environmental spores. The disease causes progressive, potentially fatal muscle spasms. With modern intensive care, mortality in treated patients is about 10–20%, but it requires prolonged ICU care.

How it spreads

C. tetani spores enter the body through cuts, puncture wounds, burns, or even minor scrapes contaminated with soil, manure, or rusty metal. Injection drug use is an increasing risk factor. Spores germinate in deep wounds with low oxygen levels and produce the toxin.

Symptoms

Stiffness of the jaw (lockjaw — difficulty opening the mouth), neck stiffness, and difficulty swallowing, followed by painful muscle spasms of the jaw, neck, and then the entire body. Spasms can be triggered by light, sound, or touch. Severe spasms can fracture bones and interfere with breathing.

Who is at risk?

Unvaccinated individuals, adults who have not received a booster in over 10 years, injection drug users, people with wounds contaminated by soil or manure, and newborns born to unvaccinated mothers in some countries.

What you can do

Vaccine information

DTaP for children, then Td booster every 10 years for adults. After a contaminated wound, unvaccinated people may need tetanus immune globulin (TIG) in addition to vaccine.

Any confirmed case in a county triggers an elevated alert. Updated manually when NYSDOH issues outbreak notifications.