Dead body management amidst global pandemic of Covid-19

Vidua, Raghvendra Kumar; Duskova, Irena; Bhargava, Daideepya C; Chouksey, Vivek Kumar; Pramanik, Parthasarathi

doi:10.1177/0025817220926930

Cited by 17 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…When managing SARS-CoV-2-positive cadavers, the potential risk of transmission may be related to direct contact with human remains or body fluids where the virus is present, or to direct contact with contaminated fomites. Due to the postmortem presence of the virus, it is advisable to minimize the contact and exposure to infected body fluids, paying particular attention to the procedures that generate aerosols during an autopsy [ 25 ]. Although an analysis of 75,464 SARS-CoV-2 cases in China [ 26 ] did not report any transmission other than via droplets, airborne transmission may be possible in specific circumstances in which procedures or support treatment are performed that generate aerosols.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 swab positivity in a drowned corpse: a case report

et al. 2022

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Background Since the beginning of the worldwide spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 to date, important knowledge has been obtained about the virus behavior in living subjects and on inanimate surfaces; however, there is still a lack of data on virus persistency on dead bodies and the risk of contagion from cadavers. Case presentation The present case shows the persistency of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 viral genome in nasopharyngeal swabs performed on a drowned Caucasian man, aged 41 years old, who was completely asymptomatic when he was alive, up to 41 days after death. Specific real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (TaqMan 2019-nCoV Assay Kit v2; Thermo Fisher Scientific, Italy and Realquality RQ-SARS-CoV-2, AB Analytical) was used to evaluate the swabs. Conclusions This data reflect the importance of postmortem swabs in all autopsy cases, and not only in potential severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2-related death, and also highlight the necessity to evaluate virus positivity a long time after the moment of death, even if a low initial viral load was assessed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Long persistence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 swab positivity in a drowned corpse: a case report

et al. 2022

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“…Mortuary and cemetery workers handling the bodies of confirmed or suspected cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection may be at an increased risk of infection. There are numerous published guidelines on handling of corpses with SARS-CoV-2 infection, and management of mortuaries and cemeteries during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (Dijkhuizen et al, 2020;Finegan et al, 2020;Fineschi et al, 2020;Khoo et al, 2020;McGuone et al, 2020;Rani, 2020;Vidua et al, 2020;Yaacoub et al, 2020). However, there are no data regarding the incidence or prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among these groups or presence of the virus on environmental surfaces in these areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

SARS-CoV-2 infection in mortuary and cemetery workers

Alishaq¹,

Jeremijenko²,

Nafady-Hego³

et al. 2021

International Journal of Infectious Diseases

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Background: Mortuary and cemetery workers may be exposed to the bodies of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, prevalence of infection among these groups is unknown. Methods: Nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) for RT-PCR and serologic testing for SARS-CoV-2 were performed on mortuary and cemetery workers in Qatar. Data on specific job duties, living conditions, contact history, and clinical course were gathered. Environmental sampling was carried out to explore any association with infection. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with infection. Results: Forty-seven mortuary workers provided an NPS and seven (14.9%) were PCR positive; 32 provided a blood sample and eight (25%) were antibody positive, six (75%) who were seropositive were also PCR positive. Among the 81 cemetery workers, 76 provided an NPS and five (6.6%) were PCR positive; 64 provided a blood sample and 22 (34.4%) were antibody positive, three (13.6%) who were seropositive were also PCR positive. Three (22.2%) and 20 (83.3%) of the infected mortuary and cemetery workers were asymptomatic, respectively. Age <30 years (OR 4.9, 95% CI 1.7-14.6), community exposure with a known case (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.7-13.3), and presence of symptoms in the preceding 2 weeks (OR 9.0, 95% CI 1.9-42.0) were independently associated with an increased risk of infection (PCR or antibody positive). Of the 46 environmental and surface samples, all were negative or had a Ct value of >35. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of mortuary and cemetery workers had evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which was incidentally detected upon serologic testing. These data are most consistent with community acquisition rather than occupational acquisition.

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“… Behnam Farahmandnia 23 Iran Journal article Review Social and psychological support through rehabilitation and specialized counseling programs can help people mitigate the pain of losing a loved one and compensate for the inability to hold memorials due to pandemic related limitations. Raghvendra Kumar Vidua 24 India Journal article Review The people who are in close contact with the bodies of COVID-19 victims are at risk and should take precautions during each stage of corpse management. Kumar Satish Ravi 25 India Journal article Review Adhering to health instruction in corpse management, holding online classes for practical courses (such as anatomy) for medical students, and screening and observing standards in organ donation should be considered.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%