Isolation & Quarantine Measures in Response to a Smallpox Emergency

Planning for Effective Implementation of Quarantine Measures

The laws at all levels must be reviewed to determine if sufficient authorities currently exist. If not, then they should be modified to provide the capability to implement the level of quarantine that may be necessary. An outbreak is not the time for legal challenges to occur. Planners should also identify those who would be participating in the initiation and enforcement of different levels of quarantine and what triggers would determine which isolation/quarantine strategy is implemented.

Resources for this review can be found in the CDC Interim Smallpox Response Plan [http://www.bt.cdc.gov/agent/smallpox/response-plan/index.asp] and on the Public Health Law website [http://www.publichealthlaw.net/]. These are focused on United States law, but might give international planners a framework from which to begin their evaluation.

Planners should also prepare plans to rapidly activate (and vaccinate) their enforcement personnel and those who would provide essential services during a quarantine of an area. These enforcement personnel would include law enforcement, military and essential service providers (water, utilities, etc.). Planners should also identify local personnel/organizations empowered to enforce community measure.

A communications staff should be working on educational campaigns before an attack. They should target health care providers and the public as their primary audiences. Their communications should explain about the potential need for population quarantine measures so that communities and populations will be more informed. By doing so, you can help to improve public compliance during an event. 

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