The Risks From Dead Bodies

I was curious to know how the dead in Haiti presented a health risk. We know that the odor of death is unbearable.

The BBC is providing a more detailed article on this topic.

I was not aware that HIV can linger in the body for up to 6 days after death.

BBC: Do dead bodies in Haiti pose a health risk?

"At the time of their death, people are likely to be healthy. You need to take care in handling them, precautions, as you don't know. But they are not in themselves a risk."

Those clearing dead bodies have to take basic safeguards like wearing gloves and hand-washing. These help protect against a range of diseases which can linger in the dead for two days - tuberculosis, Hepatitis B and C, diarrhoeal diseases. And HIV, which can last for six.