Infectious diseases

Latest release
Cause of death certification guide
Cite
Reference period
Australia
Released
2/10/2024
Next release Unknown
First release

Certification of infectious or parasitic diseases

When certifying deaths due to infectious or parasitic diseases:

  • Identify whether a primary infection was bacterial, viral or fungal.
  • State the name of the causative agent, if the disease name does not imply this.
  • Provide the site of the infection (e.g. urinary tract, respiratory tract).
  • Specify the organism on the MCCD if it is known.  

Sepsis and septicaemia

Where sepsis and septicaemia is the direct cause of death, certifiers should document:

  • The site of the original infection.
  • The causative organism. 

The following example shows how more specificity can be applied to sepsis. These principles can be applied to other infections. 

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death demonstrating certification of septic shock.

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The certificate contains 6 lines for completion separated into two parts. Part 1, line A for the disease or condition leading directly to death. Part 1 lines B, C, D and E for antecedent causes which are morbid conditions, if any, giving rise to the above cause, stating the underlying condition last. Part 2 of the certificate is a single line for other significant conditions contributing to the death but not directly related to the disease or condition causing it. For both Part 1 and Part 2 there is a column to record the approximate interval between onset and death for the conditions on each line. 

The certificate is filled out as follows:  

  • Part 1(a): Septic shock. Approximate interval between onset and death: 1 day
  • Part 1(b): Staphylococcus aureus infection. Approximate interval between onset and death: 1 week
  • Part 1(c): Lower limb cellulitis. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 weeks
  • Parts 1(d) and 1(e) Blank. Approximate interval between onset and death: Blank
  • Part 2: Type 2 diabetes mellitus. Approximate interval between onset and death: 30 years

Pneumonia and bronchopneumonia

For deaths due to pneumonia or bronchopneumonia, identify:

  • If the condition is viral, bacterial, fungal, primary hypostatic or due to aspiration.
  • The causative organism where it is known.
  • Any underlying condition that may have led to the pneumonia.
  • Any condition leading to inactivity or debility, if this was the cause of the pneumonia. 

The following example shows how more specifity can be added to pneumonia on the MCCD. 

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death demonstrating certification of pneumonia.

Example of a completed Medical Certificate of Cause of Death. The certificate contains 6 lines for completion separated into two parts. Part 1, line A for the disease or condition leading directly to death. Part 1 lines B, C, D and E for antecedent causes which are morbid conditions, if any, giving rise to the above cause, stating the underlying condition last. Part 2 of the certificate is a single line for other significant conditions contributing to the death but not directly related to the disease or condition causing it. For both Part 1 and Part 2 there is a column to record the approximate interval between onset and death for the conditions on each line. 

The certificate is filled out as follows:  

  • Part 1(a): Klebsiella pneumoniae hypostatic pneumonia. Approximate interval between onset and death: 1 day
  • Part 1(b): Inactivity. Approximate interval between onset and death: 1 week
  • Part 1(c): Cerebral infarction with hemiplegia. Approximate interval between onset and death: 3 weeks
  • Part 1(d): Cerebrovascular arteriosclerosis. Approximate interval between onset and death: 20 years
  • Parts 1(e) and Part 2: Blank. Approximate interval between onset and death: Blank