Terms of Reference

The terms of reference of the Management of Deceased Individuals Harbouring Infectious Disease (MoDI) Sub-Committee are as follows: 

1. To review international best evidence on the risk of transmission of infections from deceased individuals harbouring or suspected of harbouring infectious diseases.
2. To prepare guidelines for the management of deceased individuals harbouring infectious diseases.
3. The guidelines should serve as a code of practice and provide guidance for mortuary workers; workers in the funeral industry; the public and families of the deceased; health professionals. The guidelines plan to cover the following areas:
    
   Cadaver bags, embalming, viewing, laying out, exhumation, wakes, post-mortems, mortuary facilities, repatriation, communication, risk management incorporating risk assessment, responsibility / governance, protective clothing, standard precautions, hepatitis B vaccination, legislation. The main pathways of transmission of infection should be described and the risks associated with the major categories of infection should be outlined.

Last updated: 15th May 2007