Michigan Mortuary Science Practice Exam 2026 - Free Mortuary Science Practice Questions and Study Guide

Scarlet fever is classified as a disease that necessitates embalming during transportation because it is highly infectious and poses a risk to public health. This condition, caused by Group A Streptococcus bacteria, can spread through respiratory droplets and contact with infected individuals. As embalmers are responsible for handling deceased individuals, ensuring that the remains are properly sanitized and preserved through embalming is crucial to prevent any potential transmission of disease.

In contrast, pneumonia, cancer, and the common cold, while they can certainly be serious health concerns, do not typically require embalming for transportation under the same urgency. Pneumonia, while infectious, does not have the same level of contagion risk after death compared to scarlet fever. Cancer, being a non-communicable disease in its final stages, does not present a communicable risk to others. The common cold, similarly, does not pose a significant risk once the individual has passed away. Thus, scarlet fever stands out as the disease that necessitates embalming to protect both public health and the integrity of the transportation process.