Anyone who works with bones from archeological contexts faces this
question on a regular basis.  As far as I know there has never been a case
reported where someone was infected with a vile disease from either human
or animals remains.  When you consider that many humans and animals that
have been excavated probably died of some infectious agent then the threat
of communicability fades.  For more information on infectious agents
clinicians are not necessarily the best source, public health officials
are better equipped for such matters.  A useful reference is the "Handbook
of Communicable Diseases in Man."  This book lists all relevant info
concerning infectious agents.  Also, it clearly shows that most all
microbes die within a very short period outside the host unless extreme
(laboratory) conditions are maintained.
 
Shawn Phillips
Dept of Anthro
UAlbany-SUNY