Indonesian health workers and aide workers from the United Nations agency have began conducting vaccination campaigns against tetanus and the measles in the region.
The United Nations says, "The WHO has identified 53 cases of tetanus with 18 confirmed deaths as of June 14."
One of the major concerns for the Indonesian earthquake survivors has been sanitation. Especially now that the laborers there are living under plastic sheets and in donated tents.
Tetanus usually occurs after an acute injury when dirt enters a wound or cut, which causes an infection.
The first symptoms of tetanus, which affects the body's nerves and muscles, are usually a headache and muscle stiffness in the jaw.
It can lead to seizure-like activity and complications such as a form of pneumonia if it is left untreated.
