New South Wales Records First Death From Tetanus In 30 Years

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The Australian state of New South Wales reported its first death from tetanus in 30 years.

Health authorities in Australia's most populous state, which includes Sydney, say three cases of tetanus have been reported this year - all of them in female patients.

"Sadly, NSW Health can confirm a woman in her 80s from Sydney died on April 1 from tetanus. NSW Health expresses its sincere condolences to her loved ones," NSW Health said in a statement posted on Facebook reported by ANTARA, Thursday, April 13.

"This is the first reported case of tetanus in New South Wales since 2019, and the first death due to tetanus since 1993," NSW Health said.

Tetanus is a disease caused by bacteria found in soil.

The bacteria can get into a wound and produce a toxin that attacks a person's nervous system. This disease is not transmitted from person to person.

New South Wales health officials are urging local residents, especially older Australians, to ensure they get a tetanus vaccine as among the reported cases is a woman who got the shot more than 30 years ago, while two other people have no record of tetanus vaccination.

In all three cases, tetanus was acquired through minor foot wounds contaminated with garden soil, said NSW Health.

NSW Health director of communicable diseases Christine Selvey said that in Australia, the disease mostly occurs in older people, usually women, who don't get enough immunizations.

“Tetanus is a rare disease, but potentially fatal. Vaccination is the best protection against tetanus," said Selvey.