CAN THE BODY OF A DEAD COVID-19 PATIENT TRANSMIT CORONAVIRUS?
Rodgers Odhiambo and Celine Abuga
FACT CHECK: CAN THE BODY OF A DEAD COVID-19 PATIENT TRANSMIT CORONAVIRUS?
VERDICT: NOT TRUE.
Kenya’s Health Ministry is set to review earlier burial guidelines that sought to stem the spread of coronavirus in the country, for patients succumbing to the virus.
The guidelines were adopted in April; at the time, it was perceived that bodies of the dead could in one way or another be contagious and thus a loose end in the fight against the pandemic.
Africa-Check team investigated the claim that the dead body of a COVID-19 patient transmits the novel coronavirus.
The claim is false.
The guidelines spelt out on the Health ministry and titled ‘Interim guidelines of handling of human remains infected with covid-19’ and countersigned by Patrick Amoth the director general health and Laban Thiga acting director, Directorate of Health Care Practice.
“The guideline is designed to provide support on the does and don’ts to those handling dead bodies from the community level to the established mortuaries across the country in order to minimize transmissions during the epidemic,” the document reads.
In the guidelines, the government required the institutions to conduct burial ceremonies of patients who die of coronavirus members under the supervision of health officials.
Also, the bodies would be put in two body bags, which can then be put in a casket for burial.
The protocols forbid relatives from touching or kissing the body.
“The disposal of human remains from Covid-19 cases should be overseen by a public health official within two days (48 hours) to avoid community practices that would result in more infections through contact,” state the protocols titled Interim Guidelines on Handling of Human Remains infected with Covid-19 in Kenya.
The European Centre for Infections and Disease Control, in a document released in May outlines that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through large respiratory droplets by inhalation or deposition on mucosal surfaces.
The technical report is titled, ‘Considerations related to the safe handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19,’ also reports that the virus could equally be spread through airborne and faeco-oral.
It also notes that there is no evidence so far of transmission of covid-19 through the handling of bodies of deceased persons.
“The potential risk of transmission related to the handling of bodies of deceased persons with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 is considered low and can be related to, direct contact with human remains or bodily fluids where the virus is present or direct contact with contaminated fomites,” the document reads.
An advisory by the World Health Organisation argues that except in cases of hemorrhagic fevers (such as Ebola, Marburg) and cholera, dead bodies are generally not infectious.
“Only the lungs of patients with pandemic influenza, if handled improperly during an autopsy, can be infectious. Otherwise, cadavers do not transmit disease,” the advisory reads.
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