A 48-year-old man has died from tetanus in the Lviv region.

A 48-year-old resident of the Lviv region has died from tetanus after being stepped on by a horse. The patient was transferred to a hospital in Lviv in extremely critical condition. This marks the first fatal case of this disease in the Lviv region this year, reported on November 12 by the Lviv Regional Center for Disease Control and Prevention of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine.

The man was admitted to a hospital on November 1 with a leg injury that turned black after the trauma, and the following day he developed characteristic symptoms of tetanus – trismus (muscle spasms) of the face, particularly the jaw muscles, seizures, difficulty breathing, and general weakness, leading to his hospitalization in Lviv. The patient’s condition deteriorated sharply, and he was placed on mechanical ventilation (MV). It has not yet been established whether the man was vaccinated against tetanus.

This year, three cases of tetanus have been recorded in the Lviv region, one of which was fatal. The disease was also diagnosed in two children. In August, a 10-year-old boy injured his finger, and two weeks later, he exhibited symptoms of tetanus, while in early July, a 12-year-old girl was hospitalized with tetanus. The children had not been vaccinated against this disease. Fortunately, the doctors were able to save the children.

It’s important to note that tetanus is an acute infectious disease that affects the nervous system and is characterized by severe spasms. If treatment is not started immediately, the patient may die. Tetanus can cause serious complications such as asphyxia (breathing cessation) and cardiac arrest. The mortality rate for this disease can be as high as 40%.

Tetanus infection can occur when dirt enters a wound or cut, as a result of animal bites or injuries from sharp objects, as the spores of the bacteria thrive in soil and the intestines of animals. This disease is not transmitted from person to person. Initial symptoms include pain and twitching of muscles, difficulty in opening the mouth wide, a strange (sardonic) smile, and seizures.

To prevent tetanus, vaccination is essential. According to doctors, children should receive vaccinations at the ages of 2, 4, 6, and 18 months. Revaccination is necessary at ages 6 and 16. Adults need to renew their tetanus vaccinations every 10 years.