FACTS ABOUT TETANUS DISEASE

ported t o t h e Ministry of Health a n d using this n a t i o n 3 8 high risk districts h a v e identified a n d argeted for the Maternal a n d Neonatal Tetanus >aign.

Myths on Tetanus
Myth -Tetanus is a mild d i s e a s e ; Fact - T e t a n u s i s a fatal d i s e a s e w h i c h r e s u l t s in d e a t h if not timely a n d a p p r o p r i a t e l y m a n a g e d . Myth - Tetanus is c a u s e d by c u r s e s , witchcraft, or genetically inherited; Fact - T e t a n u s i s c a u s e d by Clostridium tetani b a c t e r i a w h e n t h e y e n t e r the b o d y t h r o u g h a wound. Myth - Tetanus c a n n o t b e p r e v e n t e d ; Fact - T e t a n u s c a n be prevented through vaccination.

ree rounds (September and October 13 and April 2014) of vaccinations will carried out in the following 38 districts
hari, Kaloleni, Malindi, Ganze, Kilindini, Meru ntral, Tigania, Chalbi, Laisamis, Mandera West, ndera East, Wajir North, Wajir West, Wajir uth, Lagdera, Fafi, Ijara, Kwanza, Baringo, ibatek, Baringo North, E a s t Pokot, Eldoret East, ireng, Pokot North, Pokot Central, Turkana rth, Turkana South, Turkana Central, Samburu st, Samburu Central, Kajiado North, Kajiado ntral, Loitoktok, Laikipia North, Laikipia West, rok North, Narok South.

What is tetanus?
T e t a n u s is a s e r i o u s d i s e a s e c a u s e d by a toxin ( p o i s o n ) p r o d u c e d by a bacteria called Clostridium tetani w h i c h is f o u n d w o r l d w i d e in soil, dust, f e a c a l w a s t e a n d m a n u r e . It is c h a r a c t e r i z e d by painful m u s c l e stiffness a n d results in d e a t h if not timely a n d a p p r o p r i a t e l y t r e a t e d .

> Does this Campaign Only Target Girls Women?

rnal a n d n e o n a t a l t e t a n u s a r e c o m m o n fatal 3quences of u n c l e a n deliveries a n d umbilical c o r d practices. V a c c i n a t i n g w o m e n protects t h e m a n d Dabies f r o m t e t a n u s . W h e n m o t h e r s a r e v a c c i n a t e d p a s s o n this i m m u n i t y to their b a b i e s a n d t h u s ct the b a b i e s f r o m t e t a n u s .

What is Maternal and Neonatal Tetanus?

M a t e r n a l a n d n e o n a t a l t e t a n u s is a d e a d l y d i s e a s e that c a n o c c u r a s a result of u n c l e a n b a b y deliveries or a b o r t i o n s a n d u n h y g i e n i c umbilical c o r d practices (applying c o w d u n g , soil, a s h e s t o t h e w o u n d a n d cutting t h e c o r d with u n c l e a n i n s t r u m e n t s e . g . dirty razor blades a n d knives.

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unite for children

N e o n a t a l a n d M a t e r n a l Tetanus d e a t h s c a n b e easily prevented through vaccination.