By U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Department of Health (DOH) has alerted the public against the danger of tetanus infection that maybe caused by firecracker-related injuries during the recent New Year celebrations.

DOH-National Epidemiology Center (NEC) director Dr. Eric Tayag advised the public to seek immediate medical treatment for firecracker injuries to avoid developing tetanus infection.

Tayag said tetanus is a type of bacteria that contaminates wounds and could be fatal if left untreated.

He also said that among the symptoms of tetanus infection are headache, lockjaw, high fever and weakness. It could develop from eight days to three weeks after sustaining the injury, he added.

On Monday, DOH said the number of persons injured or wounded due to firecracker blasts or burns, stray bullets and firework powder ingestion during the New Year revelry had reached 891.

The DOH said that of the 891 cases, 844 were caused by firecrackers, 36 by stray bullets, and 11 by firework ingestion.

Tayag said the casualty count was 13 percent lower than last year’s total of 1,028 casualties. He said the leading causes of injuries were piccolo, “kwitis” (rocket) and 5-star.

Tayag noted that most of the victims of firecracker explosions usually wait for two to five days before going to the hospital for treatment.

Tayag said they are treating all victims of firecracker-related injuries as serious cases.

“out of the 17 regions, (Metro Manila) reported majority of the cases (55 percent). eight hundred and forty-four (95 percent) were due to fireworks, 36 (4 percent) to stray-bullets and 11 (1 percent) to fireworks,” the DOH said.

The victims’ ages ranged from one year to 80 years old.the 1-10 age group was the most affected with 282 cases (or 33 percent of the total number of cases).

Of the active users 18 years old and above, 72 (or 34 percent) were drunk at the time of the accident.

The DOH also said 660 persons (or 78 percent) had burns without amputation while 55 persons (or 7 percent) needed amputation and 129 persons (or 15 percent) sustained eye injuries.