Fireworks victims urged to get anti-tetanus shots

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) called again yesterday on those who sustained injuries and burns due to fireworks to get anti-tetanus shots, saying it is cheaper than treating infection. 

Health Assistant Secretary Eric Tayag said two shots of toxoid and anti-tetanus serum cost around P300 or P2,000 in a government and private hospital, respectively.

He said undergoing treatment for tetanus could cost some P5,000 for mild complications and up to P30,000 for serious cases. The amount does not include the lost productivity of the patients and the persons who take care of them in the hospital. 

“It is definitely much cheaper to get anti-tetanus shots than to develop tetanus and be hospitalized. Tetanus can be fatal and you should not take the risk,” Tayag said. 

He said as long as the symptoms are not yet manifesting, a person who sustained wound and/or burns could still be vaccinated against tetanus. 

He warned against ignoring even small wounds because they could still be infected as fireworks are made up of dirty substances. 

So far, the DOH had monitored just one case of tetanus related to fireworks – a 27-year-old male firecracker factory worker in Bulacan whose right thumb got wounded when he lighted a kwitis on Dec. 22. 

He was rushed to the San Lazaro Hospital in Manila last Dec. 30 after developing spasms and lockjaw.

During the New Year’s Eve celebration, the DOH recorded another case of tetanus – a 32-year-old man from San Pedro, Laguna whose right hand got injured when a luces he was holding exploded. He eventually died.

Meanwhile, the DOH ended yesterday its registry for “Action Paputok Injury Reduction: Iwas Paputok” campaign. The surveillance covered 50 sentinel hospitals across the country. 

From Dec. 21 to Jan. 5, 835 firecracker-related injuries, 25 stray bullet injuries and two poisoning from fireworks ingestion – totaling to 862 – were recorded. 

One death was reported due to stray bullet – seven-year-old Stephanie Nicole Ella of Malaria, Tala, Caloocan City – who was hit at the height of the New Year revelry on Jan. 1. 

The registry showed that the 862 cases is 16 percent lower compared to the 1,021 cases recorded from Dec. 21, 2011 to Jan. 5, 2012.

Tayag said they have succeeded in reducing fireworks-related injuries but this accomplishment was tainted by the death of Nicole.