Descriptive analysis of repatriated human remains surveillance data, Mpumalanga Province Ports of Entry, October 2022 - October 2024
1
1Border Management Authority, Mananga Port of Entry, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
2
2South African Field Epidemiology Training Programme, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Division of the National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
3
3Communicable Disease Control Directorate, Department of Health, Mbombela, South Africa
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A3838
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The repatriation of human remains poses public health risks if regulatory and public health measures are inadequately implemented. Surveillance at ports of entry focuses on verification of permits, documentation, and compliance with handling and conveyance standards. Evidence on compliance and data quality at ports of entry remains limited. This study describes repatriated human remains, regulatory compliance, and surveillance data quality at Mpumalanga Province ports of entry from October 2022 - October 2024.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using routine surveillance data from paper-based human remains registers at five commercial ports of entry. All recorded repatriated human remains cases were included. Human remains were defined as the body or body parts of a deceased person at any stage of decomposition, including embalmed bodies, cremated remains, skeletal material, soft tissue, and preserved human tissue. Compliance was defined as possession of a valid national permit and complete required documentation at entry or exit. Data were analysed descriptively using frequencies and proportions.
RESULTS:
A total of 563 repatriated human remains cases were recorded. Cross-border movement involved Eswatini (57.2%, n=322), Mozambique (33.4%, n=188), Malawi (5.0%, n=28), South Africa (4.1%, n=23), and Zimbabwe (0.4%, n=2), with exports exceeding imports. Regulatory compliance was 89.5%. Non-compliant cases were returned to country of origin after assistance to meet compliance requirements. Surveillance data showed substantial missing information for key variables, including age and sex (0% completeness), indicating poor data quality.
CONCLUSIONS:
High compliance with repatriation regulations suggests effective public health risk mitigation at Mpumalanga ports of entry. However, incomplete surveillance data limits comprehensive risk assessment. Strengthening data collection tools, transitioning to electronic surveillance systems, and enhancing cross-border collaboration are essential to improve data quality, governance and public health security.
The repatriation of human remains poses public health risks if regulatory and public health measures are inadequately implemented. Surveillance at ports of entry focuses on verification of permits, documentation, and compliance with handling and conveyance standards. Evidence on compliance and data quality at ports of entry remains limited. This study describes repatriated human remains, regulatory compliance, and surveillance data quality at Mpumalanga Province ports of entry from October 2022 - October 2024.
METHODS:
A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using routine surveillance data from paper-based human remains registers at five commercial ports of entry. All recorded repatriated human remains cases were included. Human remains were defined as the body or body parts of a deceased person at any stage of decomposition, including embalmed bodies, cremated remains, skeletal material, soft tissue, and preserved human tissue. Compliance was defined as possession of a valid national permit and complete required documentation at entry or exit. Data were analysed descriptively using frequencies and proportions.
RESULTS:
A total of 563 repatriated human remains cases were recorded. Cross-border movement involved Eswatini (57.2%, n=322), Mozambique (33.4%, n=188), Malawi (5.0%, n=28), South Africa (4.1%, n=23), and Zimbabwe (0.4%, n=2), with exports exceeding imports. Regulatory compliance was 89.5%. Non-compliant cases were returned to country of origin after assistance to meet compliance requirements. Surveillance data showed substantial missing information for key variables, including age and sex (0% completeness), indicating poor data quality.
CONCLUSIONS:
High compliance with repatriation regulations suggests effective public health risk mitigation at Mpumalanga ports of entry. However, incomplete surveillance data limits comprehensive risk assessment. Strengthening data collection tools, transitioning to electronic surveillance systems, and enhancing cross-border collaboration are essential to improve data quality, governance and public health security.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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