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Tetanus

InfectiousClostridium tetaniAncient (described by Hippocrates)Wound contamination
TypeInfectious
CauseClostridium tetani
First KnownAncient (described by Hippocrates)
TransmissionWound contamination

About Tetanus

Soil spores produce a toxin causing rigid, arching muscle spasms. Called lockjaw. Neonatal tetanus killed countless newborns through unclean birth practices. Maternal vaccination has cut newborn deaths dramatically, though thousands of newborns still die yearly.

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