ATLANTA — U.S. public health officials are monitoring a recent uptick in tetanus cases, which remain rare but have increased in recent years amid concerns over vaccination coverage.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported provisional figures of 38 tetanus cases in 2025, up from 33 in 2024 and 18 in 2023, according to agency surveillance data. Cases are tracked through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. Health departments report confirmed or probable infections to the system.
Tetanus, caused by *Clostridium tetani* bacteria commonly found in soil and dust, enters the body through wounds and produces a toxin that affects the nervous system, leading to muscle spasms and potentially life-threatening complications. The disease is preventable through vaccination with tetanus toxoid-containing vaccines, typically administered as part of the DTaP series for children and boosters for adults.
A CDC report published in April 2026 detailed four cases of tetanus among unvaccinated children in 2024 across Idaho, Minnesota, Missouri and Wisconsin. None had received the recommended primary vaccine series or post-exposure prophylaxis. The children required hospitalizations ranging from eight to 45 days, with two needing additional rehabilitation. Only one completed the vaccine series afterward.
“Pediatric tetanus is rare in the United States” due to high vaccination coverage, the report authors noted, adding that approximately four cases occur annually among children.
Officials link the broader increase to pockets of lower vaccination rates. Multiple states, including Florida with eight cases reported through late 2025, have recorded higher numbers, according to CDC data compiled by public health trackers.
Tetanus has been dramatically reduced in the U.S. since the 1940s through widespread immunization. Annual cases have generally stayed below 40 since 2010, with most occurring in adults who are unvaccinated or have not received recent boosters, as well as in individuals with incomplete vaccination histories.
The CDC and state health departments recommend routine vaccination and prompt wound care with tetanus prophylaxis as needed. Public health messaging emphasizes staying up to date with boosters every 10 years.
As of mid-2026, officials continue routine surveillance. No widespread outbreak has been reported, and details on 2026 cases remain limited as data are still being finalized. Health authorities stress that vaccination remains the primary prevention method.
The World Health Organization tracks global tetanus incidence, noting progress in many regions but ongoing challenges in areas with lower immunization rates. In the U.S., sporadic cases persist despite overall control.
