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                              How is isolation and quarantine enforced during a disease outbreak?
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How is isolation and quarantine enforced during a disease outbreak?








  
  
    

  
      



If a quarantinable disease is suspected or identified, the CDC may issue a Federal isolation or quarantine order. Public health authorities at the federal, state, local, and tribal levels may sometimes seek help from police or other law enforcement officers to enforce a public health order.
Fines or Imprisonment
U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Coast Guard officers are authorized to help enforce federal quarantine orders.  Breaking a federal quarantine order is punishable by fines and imprisonment.  Federal law allows the conditional release of persons from quarantine if they comply with medical monitoring and surveillance.
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Content created by Digital Communications Division (DCD) Content last reviewed September 4, 2009 Back to top
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