Tetanus is a very severe, potentially fatal disease that still occurs in Australia. Immunisaton can prevent it. Tetanus occurs when a germ called Clostridium tetani enters the body through damaged skin and produces a poison called tetanus toxin. This toxin is one of the most potent known poisons. The tetanus germ is present in soil, dust and manure. You cannot catch tetanus from other people. The tetanus germ likes to grow away from the air.
