Tetanus warning to older people

NI vaccination programme was only started 40 years ago

Doctors in Northern Ireland are warning anyone not immunised against tetanus to get a jab after an elderly man became the first person to die of the illness since 1993.

The 71-year-old developed tetanus in May after he fell in a farmyard and injured his elbow.

The wound became infected and some days later he went to hospital with painful swelling in his arm.

He got dirt in the wound and five days after his fall tetanus was diagnosed. He died 12 days after that.

Symptoms

Tetanus is a disorder of the nervous system which results in painful muscle spasms.

It is sometimes called lockjaw because patients often have difficulty opening and closing their mouths.

A programme to immunise children against tetanus was introduced in Northern Ireland 40 years ago.

However, doctors are concerned that people born before that time may not have been inoculated against it and are asking people to check their inoculations are up to date.

Gardeners or anyone using muddy playing fields are regarded as particularly at risk.