The fourth international conference on tetanus, Dakar, Sénégal, 1975

The two main conclusions drawn at the Dakar International Conference on Tetanus appeared to be: 1) Tetanus is a real problem in developing countries in both occurrence and mortality rates; and 2) Tetanus can be eliminated by the proper use of tetanus toxoid. Preventive medicine, more important nowadays than before, especially in light of broadened legal responsibilities of medical practitioners, must include tetanus immunology, prophylaxis, and therapy. Some currently listed standards for administration of tetanus antitoxin, immune globulin, and toxoid are perhaps in need for revision, at least in developed countries, and at the same time attention must be paid to the very high incidence of tetanus in developing nations, and to the alleviation and eventual eradication of tetanus everywhere in the world.