Tetanus in the United States, 1950-1960

Abstract

Several hundred cases of tetanus are still reported annually in the United States. Peak incidence occurs in the summer. The disease is most prevalent among. Negro and Latin American populations in the south-eastern and south-central states. Excepting the 20-44 year-old age group, in which rates are equal for both sexes, tetanus occurs more frequently in males. This relative decrease in rate among young and middle aged men may well reflect the immunization given men during military service since World War n. Tetanus neonatorum causes nearly 100 deaths annually in the United States and is a significant public health problem among Negro and Latin American groups in southern states. The occurrence of this disease among new-born infants is the result of primitive post-natal practices, and can be effectively prevented through toxoid immunization of pregnant women in areas of high neonatal tetanus incidence.