Ringane.A ;Milovanovic.M ; Maphakula .A; Makete .F ;Omar.T; Martinson. N, Lebina L, (August 2019),“An observational study of safe and risky practices in funeral homes in South Africa” Attempted to assess the high prevalence of infectious diseases in SA means that funeral industry workers and family members of deceased individuals are vulnerable to infection if proper safety measures and equipment are not used. Personnel working in the funeral services sector are at risk of exposure to infectious hazards transmitted by inhalation of aerosolised body fluids, direct inoculation and mucocutaneous contamination. Viruses and bacteria that can spread post mortem include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hepatitis B and C viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, prions, HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Ebola virus.A recent study by Correiaet al. found that tuberculosis (TB) can remain viable for up to 36 days after death, and exposure can occur through fluid build-up in a corpse and the expelling of residual air when it is moved. Previous studies have documented cases of HIV sero conversion in personnel working with corpses due to exposure to blood or body fluids and injuries from needles and sharps.
