Health Ministry confirms tetanus death, probes second case linked to nail puncture wound
Published:Thursday | November 27, 2025 | 6:57 PM
A 71-year-old man died from tetanus in Westmoreland after a nail punctured his foot in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
The Ministry of Health is also investigating another case of tetanus in St Elizabeth, also arising from a nail puncture wound. The patient is a 31-year-old woman.
Tetanus is a serious infection of the nervous system caused by toxin-producing bacteria.
Principal Medical Officer and National Epidemiologist in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Dr Karen Webster-Kerr, explained that there has been an increase in injuries to persons since the hurricane and she encouraged persons to get vaccinated against tetanus.
"We have to remind persons to get treated cause they need to have vaccination if they have been injured," she said.
In the meantime, Webster-Kerr said the ministry's surveillance has revealed that cases of gastroenteritis, fever and respiratory illnesses are all within the normal range for all ages.
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