Tetanus
Tetanus is a serious, sometimes fatal bacterial disease caused by toxins produced by Clostridium tetani. Tetanus bacteria live mainly in soil, dust and manure, but can be found anywhere.
It affects the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, causing painful muscle spasms throughout the body.
Because of immunisation, few people now get tetanus in Australia.
Notifiable disease
Tetanus is a notifiable disease.
Vaccine
Read about immunisations on the Northern Territory Government website.
Information for health professionals
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Tetanus - Surveillance Case Definition | Communicable Disease Network Australia |
Information for the public
| Type | Resource | Author |
|---|---|---|
| Webpage | Tetanus | Health direct |
Contact
Contact the Public Health Unit’s Centre for Disease Control.
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