THE World Health Organisation (WHO) has warned funeral services organizations and mortuary services facilities against embalming COVID-19 bodies as it still poses a risk of infection to unsuspecting staffers.
By Michael Gwarisa
In its new interim guidelines for Infection prevention and control for the safe management of a dead body in the context of COVID-19 released on Friday, September 2020, the World Health Organisation said even though the risk of infection from a cadaver is very low, there is still risk should one get into contact with body secretions and air during the embalming process as it involves excessive manipulation of that body that may expel air and fluids from the lungs.
Transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus can occur through direct, indirect or close contact with secretions, such as saliva and respiratory secretions or respiratory droplets, expelled from an infected person. Indirect contact transmission involving contact through fomites may also be possible. In health-care settings, airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur during medical procedures that generate aerosols
“Based on current knowledge of the symptoms of COVID-19 and its main modes of transmission (droplet/contact), the likelihood of transmission when handling human remains is low. Embalming is not recommended in order to avoid excessive manipulation of the body. However, if embalming is done, it should be performed by trained, experienced staff, following standard IPC precautions,” said the World Health Organisation.
They added that Mortuary staff or funeral home workers preparing the body, i.e. washing the body, tidying/shaving hair, or trimming nails, should wear appropriate PPE according to standard IPC precautions and risk assessment, including gloves, impermeable gown or gown with impermeable apron, medical mask, eye protection (face shield or goggles) and closed footwear or footwear protection.
“If the family wishes to view the body, allow them to do so, but instruct them not to touch or kiss the body, to maintain at least 1-meter (m) distance from one another and any staff during the viewing and to perform hand hygiene after the viewing. Identify local alternatives to kissing and touching the dead body in settings where such contact is traditionally part of funeral procedures.”
In contexts where mortuary services are available, but traditional funeral rites involve bringing the body home for vigils or home viewings prior to burial or cremation, the above guidance should be followed and can be adapted as follows:
- Bodies should be prepared in the mortuary or hospital as per the relevant guidelines before beingreleased to the family
- A body bag, plastic sheeting or coffin is recommended for transportation of the dead body from the morgue to the viewing site.
- To open a body bag or coffin for viewing, use gloves and medical mask, and once the body bag or coffins opened, remove gloves and perform hand hygiene.
- Do not remove the body from the body bag, coffin or shrouding, If further manipulation than the above is required, follow the guidelines for the preparation of dead bodies at hom
