Tetanus

Statutory notification

Public health management

Important information

  • Infectious agent: Clostridium tetani
  • Transmission: No direct person-to-person transmission. Tetanus spores are usually introduced into the body via penetrating skin wounds contaminated by soil, animal or human faeces.
  • Incubation period: Usually 3 to 21 days, although it may range from 1 day to several months.
  • Infectious period: Not communicable person-to-person.
  • Case exclusion: Do not exclude.
  • Contact exclusion: Do not exclude.
  • Treatment: Hospitalisation.
  • Immunisation: Recommended that children be vaccinated according to the Western Australian vaccination schedule. See Australian Immunisation Handbook 10th edition, Department of Health (external site).

Guidelines

Notifiable disease data and reports

Produced by

Public Health