OAR 830-030-0070: Transportation and Care of Persons Who Have Died of or With Communicable Diseases

(1) Except for transportation of human remains from place of death to a licensed facility or other holding facility, transportation of persons who have died of or with communicable diseases specified by the Oregon Health Authority shall be permitted only under the following conditions: the human remains shall be thoroughly embalmed with approved disinfectant solution; all orifices shall be closed with absorbent cotton; and the body shall be washed. (2) Communicable diseases which apply to this section are as follows: (a) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; (b) Diphtheria; (c) Hepatitis B; (d) Hepatitis C; (e) Hepatitis, delta; (f) Human immunodeficiency virus; (g) Plague; (h) Rabies; (i) Tularemia; and (j) Tuberculosis. (3) If religious custom or the conditions of the remains prohibit embalming, human remains shall be received for transportation by a common carrier if the human remains are placed in a sealed impervious container enclosed in a strong transportation case or in a sound container designed for that that purpose enclosed in a sealed impervious transportation case. (4) Notwithstanding (1), (2) and (3), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) may provide additional or different requirements for the handling of human remains to the Board in response to a public health or emergency event. Any such additional or overriding requirements will be sent immediately to all effective licensees electronically, and will be posted to the Board’s website. The new requirements are in effect upon issuance by OHA, and are considered ongoing requirements unless otherwise specified, or until repealed or revoked in writing by OHA.