Tetanus as Cause of Mass Die-off of Captive Japanese Macaques, Japan, 2008

Abstract

In 2008 in Japan, 15/60 captive Japanese macaques died. Clostridium tetani was isolated from 1 monkey, and 11 had tetanus-specific symptoms. We conclude the outbreak resulted from severe environmental C. tetani contamination. Similar outbreaks could be prevented by vaccinating all monkeys, disinfecting housing areas/play equipment, replacing highly C. tetani–contaminated soil, and conducting epidemiologic surveys.

Keywords

• Clostridium tetani
• bacteria
• Japanese macaque
• Macaca fuscata
• outbreak
• tetanus