Quarantine

Isolation separates sick individuals; quarantine restricts movement of exposed individuals to prevent spread.

Quarantine is a public health practice used to separate and restrict the movement of people who have been exposed to an infectious disease but are not yet known to be infected. The purpose of quarantine is to prevent potentially infected individuals from unknowingly transmitting the disease to others during the period when they might become contagious. Unlike isolation, which applies to people already known to be infected, quarantine focuses on people who might become sick because of a recent exposure.

Quarantine can take place in a person’s home, in government-designated facilities, or in healthcare settings, depending on the disease, risk level, and local resources.

Quarantine has been a fundamental disease control strategy for centuries, dating back to efforts to contain plague in Europe. Its value comes from the ability to break chains of transmission early, especially when a disease has a defined incubation period (the time between exposure and onset of symptoms).

Key Principles of Quarantine

Effective quarantine depends on several critical factors working together to reduce disease transmission.

Core elements of quarantine

Successful quarantine strategies typically include:

• Rapid identification of exposed individuals
• Clear communication about quarantine rules and duration
• Monitoring for development of symptoms
• Support for basic needs (food, medication, income)
• Medical evaluation if symptoms develop
• Protection of mental health and social well-being

Challenges and risks of quarantine

• Stigma and discrimination against quarantined individuals
• Economic hardship, especially without paid leave
• Psychological stress and isolation
• Compliance difficulties in crowded or insecure living conditions
• Potential for worsening spread if poorly enforced or communicated

Balancing public health protection with individual rights is essential to effective quarantine management.

Examples of Quarantine in Practice

• COVID-19: Home quarantine for exposed close contacts, with monitoring for symptoms and testing recommendations.
• Ebola: Selective quarantine in rural African settings for household contacts, often supported by food and medical care deliveries.
• Mpox (Monkeypox): Modified quarantine or symptom monitoring for close contacts of confirmed cases in 2022 outbreaks.

Quarantine vs Isolation

• Quarantine: For people who have been exposed but are not yet sick.
• Isolation: For people who are confirmed to be infected.
• Different triggers, time periods, and public health interventions.

Best Practices for Supporting Quarantine

• Providing clear, timely public health guidance
• Ensuring delivery of food, medication, and essential supplies
• Offering financial or housing support when needed
• Monitoring physical and mental health during quarantine
• Establishing pathways to care for people who develop symptoms