TETANUS – AN EVALUATION OF EPIDEMIOLOGIC DATA IN BRAZIL

Tetanus is an infectious preventable disease caused by Clostridium tetani that still occurs in large numbers in Brazil and has high mortality rates. Epidemiological data on morbidity and mortality of accidental and neonatal tetanus in Brazil from 2008 to 2011 were collected from the System of Information of Notifiable Diseases available on line. There were 1299 cases of accidental tetanus cases with 419 (32%) deaths. Men aged 20 to 59 years were most affected. High numbers of accidental tetanus are probably related to more exposure to risk factors. The lack of special campaigns for tetanus revaccinations every ten years is another important factor. The fewer number of cases of neonatal tetanus (23) is related to the success of governmental vaccination program targeted to this age group. Despite low numbers, death rate is high, 65% among neonatal cases.