Best practices for nuisance wildlife control operators in New York State

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Ch 4: Section two: Risks that come with your job

Tetanus (a.k.a. "lockjaw")

Wildlife diseases | Ladder safety| Bites and stings | Heat related illness | Electrocution and more

Tetanus is an infection caused when the toxin of the bacterium, Clostridium tetani, is released into a wound, usually through a deep puncture. It's often fatal. This disease is also known as "lockjaw" because the muscles of the jaw and neck contract spasmodically.

NWCOs are most likely to suffer puncture wounds two ways: either through an animal's bite or by accidentally impaling themselves on a nail, which is a common hazard in attics and barns. Be especially alert for nails in horse barns because many horses are infected with the tetanus bacteria.

The right gloves provide excellent protection from bites but they're not foolproof. Some of the larger carnivores can bite through even heavy-duty gloves. To protect yourself from a tetanus infection, get a tetanus immunization every ten years. If you receive a puncture wound and it's been more than five years since your last tetanus shot, your doctor may recommend another shot.

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