CONNELLSVILLE, Pa. — More than a week after Connellsville experienced some of the worst flooding in its history, concern has grown for the health of residents and volunteers who have been cleaning up.
Fayette County EMS Chief Rick Adobato fears people could be in danger of getting tetanus after dealing with the floodwater that left behind a path of destruction, including ripping through homes and tearing asphalt from the ground.
Adobato said the Fayette County Health Department did not have any tetanus shots available at the time of the flooding. The Pennsylvania Department of Health delivered only 300 shots, and they were not received until Tuesday.
“Totally dysfunctional. I can’t put in better words, absolutely dysfunctional how things went at the Department of Health. Here they come, a full nine days after the fact,” Adobato said.
The Pennsylvania Department of Health said the shots were made available for free, but that it has a limited quantity available statewide and had to order more.
EMS workers went door to door last week with all they had: 100 tetanus shots donated by local doctors and 50 from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
“We blew through 150 in maybe three hours,” Adobato said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, tetanus is an infection caused by bacteria that produce a toxin in the body when it enters through injuries from contaminated objects. The toxin causes painful muscle contractions.
It is recommended that children receive a series of tetanus vaccinations. Adults should receive booster shots every 10 years.
The Connellsville Area School District announced Tuesday that 100 tetanus shots were available to anyone in need of them.
“We take it for granted that a tetanus shot would be difficult to get,” Superintendent Phil Martell said.
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