Futurity

How long do viruses survive in dead bodies?

How long do viruses like the one that causes COVID-19 last in dead bodies? An expert explains what we know and what we don't.
A 3D-printed model of the virus that causes COVID-19

There’s no easy answer to how long viruses survive in dead bodies, but we’ve learned lessons from the past, says virologist Matt Koci.

Some of the many questions about today’s COVID-19 pandemic revolve around what happens to viruses in the remains of humans or animals.

For example, could people get sick from digging up decades-old bodies? Or could future scientists get more information about COVID-19 by examining human remains a century from now?

Here, Koci, a professor in North Carolina State University’s poultry science department whose work focuses on host-microbe interactions in birds, addresses those questions and others:

The post How long do viruses survive in dead bodies? appeared first on Futurity.

More from Futurity

Futurity4 min read
Building With Straw And Hemp Could Seriously Cut Emissions
Researchers confirm that thermal insulation and heating replacement should be key elements of energy-efficient renovations. They developed a model that uses AI to calculate greenhouse gas emissions and costs and also takes into account uncertainties
Futurity2 min read
Are Nicotine Pouches Safe?
Johns Hopkins behavioral pharmacologist Tory Spindle weighs in on the safety of smoke-free, flavored nicotine pouches, including the brand Zyn, that are popular among young people and are going viral on TikTok. Senator Chuck Schumer recently describe
Futurity3 min read
Your Oral Health Is Connected To Your Mortality
Looking at multiple dental health conditions and behaviors paints a clearer picture of long-term health and mortality, researchers report. People who report having poor oral health are as likely to have negative long-term systemic health outcomes as

Related Books & Audiobooks