The threat of a new tetanus outbreak due to urban flooding disaster requires vigilance: a narrative review

Abstract

Vaccines for tetanus prevention have rapidly progressed, and the number of outbreaks, especially the incidence of tetanus in developed countries, has decreased dramatically. However, the mortality rate associated with severe tetanus remains high. Tetanus eradication is difficult owing to the widespread presence of the spores of tetanus bacteria in the environment, but tetanus can be prevented by acquired immunity from vaccines. Older people, intravenous drug users, and migrants are at a high risk of tetanus in developed countries owing to the lack of booster vaccination programs. Natural disasters, especially floods, often cause an increase in the prevalence of tetanus because of the associated injuries. Precautions should be taken to combat the threat of a new tetanus outbreak due to floods in urban areas owing to global warming. In particular, Japan is facing a high risk of urban flooding‐induced tetanus, despite its status as a developed country. This review aims to highlight the data on the epidemiology, causes, treatment, and prevention of tetanus and problems associated with tetanus countermeasures during future floods.

Keywords

• Disaster medicine
• flooding
• infection control
• tetanus
• urban flood