Dead bodies are commonly believed to be vectors of infectious diseases, especially during an epidemic such as the recent Covid19 pandemic. However, most viral and bacterial pathogens are not capable of surviving long in a human body after death, so a dead body does not pose a severe risk of transmission, even if the person died of an infectious disease.
This being said, directly handling dead bodies does pose risks to coroners, healthcare and emergency response staff, and funerary care professionals unless the correct health and safety precautions are taken.
Infection risks include:
- Tuberculosis (TB) – transmissible from a dead body if the pathogen has been aerosolised and survives in residual air pockets in the body’s lungs.
- Blood-borne viruses (e.g. HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C) – these can be transmitted to handlers through direct contact with blood, bodily fluids, and mucous membranes.
- Gastrointestinal pathogens – infections can be transmitted from contact with faeces on the body itself, or from contaminated clothing or personal items. (These pathogens can also be spread when a water supply is contaminated by a dead body.)
Additionally, dead bodies of persons who are known to have died from viral haemorrhagic fever, Creutztfeldt-Jacob disease (CJD), anthrax, rabies, or a Yersinia Pestis infection (‘Plague’) – all extremely rare conditions in the UK – should be treated with additional stringent precautions.
Can you catch Covid19 from a dead body?
In the ongoing pandemic conditions, it is sensible to assume that the Covid19 virus may be present in a dead body and to take the appropriate precautions to avoid infection. The risk of transmission from a dead body carrying the Covid19 virus is far lower than from a living patient.
However, the virus may be transmitted if it persists in the lungs in aerosolised form, or if power tools are used during coronary procedures that cause droplets to emanate from a dead body’s lungs during post-mortem treatment. The virus may also be transmitted through contact with contaminated clothing.
In April 2022, the HSE issued updated guidelines for mortuary workers and coroners who handle dead bodies with a suspected or confirmed Covid19 infection.
Managing and mitigating risk from dead bodies
All coronary dead body-handling procedures should aim to minimise the risk of transmission when handling a dead body, whilst also ensuring respect and dignity for the deceased.
Using a high-quality body bag prevents the leakage of contaminated blood, faeces, and bodily fluids away from the corpse, reducing the risk of infection and enabling corpses to be handled in a safe manner.
When combined with regular disinfection of the external surfaces of body bags and mortuary treatment areas, and medical grade PPE, the risk of transmission of infections and diseases from a dead body is minimalised.
Recommended PPE includes:
- Single-use disposable gloves.
- Disposable plastic apron.
- Disposable gown.
- Fluid-resistant surgical mask (FRSM).
- Eye protection.
Request A Quote
Slik Pak provides a range of high-quality body bags for coroners, funeral homes, and mortuary practices that preserve the dignity of the deceased while safeguarding handlers of dead bodies from the risk of contamination. To request a quote or to find out more, please call 0161 367 1205 today.
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