The Return of Tetanus: A Preventable Threat

Tetanus, a disease once under control in the U. S. , is making a concerning comeback. This is due to a drop in vaccination rates and an increase in natural disasters linked to climate change. These disasters create more chances for people to get hurt and exposed to the bacteria that cause tetanus. In the past, the U. S. saw a big drop in tetanus cases thanks to vaccines. But now, the number of cases is rising. In 2024, there were 32 cases, and this year, there have been at least 37. This is the highest number in over a decade. Doctors are worried because tetanus can be very serious. It causes muscle spasms that make it hard to breathe. One of the scariest symptoms is a forced smile, called risus sardonicus, which happens when the jaw clenches. Tetanus bacteria live in soil and manure. People can get infected through a puncture wound. Treatment is long, painful, and expensive. A 6-year-old boy in Oregon had almost $1 million in medical bills after getting tetanus in 2019. Doctors say getting vaccinated is much cheaper than treating the disease.Climate change is making things worse. Natural disasters like hurricanes and floods increase the risk of tetanus. As people clean up after these disasters, they are more likely to get hurt and exposed to the bacteria. States like Florida, Texas, and Kansas, which are at high risk for natural disasters, are also seeing drops in vaccination rates. Doctors are urging people to get vaccinated. A booster dose is recommended every 10 years for adults. Nikki Arellano, a 42-year-old from Reno, Nevada, learned this the hard way. She hadn't had a tetanus shot since 2010. After a minor cut on her leg, she developed tetanus. She was hospitalized for nearly a week and is still recovering. Doctors are also worried about the long-term effects of declining vaccination rates. They fear we might be entering a "post-vaccination era, " where preventable diseases like tetanus start to make a comeback. This is unfortunate because tetanus is easily preventable with a simple vaccine.