Irregular Burial Practices in Amazon as a Critical One Health Challenge

Abstract The case study investigates irregular burial practices in Careiro da Várzea, Brazil, a municipality in the Amazon, focusing on the legal, environmental, and health challenges involved. Although Brazilian law mandates burials in official cemeteries with proper documentation, weak enforcement, limited municipal resources, and the absence of local regulations have left communities with few viable options. As a result, informal cemeteries have proliferated, probably aligning with cultural preferences for burial sites close to home. The research highlights how the municipality’s flood-prone landscape exacerbates risks, as seasonal inundation can disperse contaminants from decomposing bodies into water sources, posing severe and widespread health hazards. A multidisciplinary approach was adopted. Researchers used georeferencing to map burial sites and conducted field observations to (preliminarily) assess environmental risks, including potential soil and water contamination. Epidemiological data were analyzed to explore potential links between burial practices and patterns of waterborne diseases in the surrounding communities. Difficulties with formal death registration services were identified as a key factor contributing to unreported deaths, complicating public health planning. The findings reveal that irregular burial practices not only pose significant environmental risks but also create health data gaps that hinder effective disease surveillance and resource allocation. The study recommends strengthening local regulations and capacity, improving burial infrastructure, ensuring better coordination between environmental and health authorities, and fostering community engagement in planning for actions while considering the community’s needs and constraints. Information © The Authors 2025