Quarantine facts for kids

A quarantine was used at East Birmingham Hospital in the UK after a smallpox outbreak in 1978.

A quarantine is a restriction on the movement of people, animals, and goods. It is used to stop the spread of disease or pests. Quarantine is often used when people might have been exposed to a sickness but do not have a confirmed medical diagnosis yet.

This is different from medical isolation. Isolation is used for people who are already known to be sick. Quarantine is for those who might be sick, to see if they develop symptoms.

Quarantines have been used throughout history. Famous examples include the village of Eyam in England during the bubonic plague in 1665, and the worldwide lockdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020.

Word Origin and Meaning

The word quarantine comes from the Italian words quarantena or quarantaine, which mean "forty days". This term was used in the 14th and 15th centuries. During the Black Death plague, ships arriving in Venice and other ports had to wait offshore for 40 days before the passengers and crew could step on land. This was to make sure they were not carrying the plague.

Before the 40-day rule, there was a 30-day period called a trentino. This was first used in 1377 in Dubrovnik, which is now a city in Croatia.

Today, the word can be used as a noun (a period of isolation) or a verb (to put someone in isolation).

History of Quarantine

Early Practices

People have tried to stop diseases from spreading for a very long time. In early Islamic history, there were guidelines advising healthy people not to travel to places with plagues and advising those already there to stay put. The famous doctor Avicenna wrote about controlling disease spread in the year 1025.

In the 1300s, the Black Death killed a large part of the population in Europe and Asia. This disaster forced governments to create strict rules. Dubrovnik was the first city to make newcomers wait on nearby islands for 30 days to see if they got sick. Later, the Venetian Senate increased this time to 40 days. This 40-day rule was very effective because the bubonic plague usually showed symptoms within 37 days.

Modern History

The quarantine ship Rhin in Sheerness, England.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, diseases like yellow fever and cholera caused big problems in North America and Europe. Governments often used a cordon sanitaire. This is a barrier or line that people are not allowed to cross, keeping the sickness inside a specific area.

During the 1918 flu pandemic, some places used "protective sequestration". This meant they closed themselves off to keep the flu out. American Samoa did this successfully and had zero deaths, while nearby islands suffered greatly.

A village in Romania being isolated in 1911 during a cholera outbreak.

Space Travel

Quarantine is even used in space exploration! When the astronauts from Apollo 11, Apollo 12, and Apollo 14 returned from the Moon between 1969 and 1971, they were quarantined for 21 days. Scientists wanted to be absolutely sure they had not brought back any unknown "moon germs" that could harm life on Earth.

Signals and Flags

The yellow "Quebec" flag. Historically it meant a ship had disease (Quarantine), but today it means "My ship is healthy, can I come in?"

Ships use special flags to send messages. Historically, a plain yellow flag was used to warn that a ship had sickness on board. It stood for the letter Q (for Quarantine). Sometimes a black and yellow flag was used.

Today, the meaning of the yellow "Q" flag has changed. Now, if a ship flies a single Q flag, it means "My vessel is healthy, and I request permission to enter the port." If a ship needs health clearance, it might fly a double Q flag (QQ).

Rules and Fairness

Quarantining people involves limiting their freedom to move around. This raises important questions about civil rights. Governments have to balance keeping the public safe with treating individuals fairly.

Fair Rules for Quarantine

In 1984, a group of experts created the Siracusa Principles. These are guidelines for when human rights can be limited to stop diseases. They state that quarantine must be:

Necessary: It must be done to respond to a real health need.
Legal: It must follow the law.
Fair: It should not be arbitrary or discriminate against people.
Explained: People need to know why they are being quarantined.

Governments also have a duty to provide basic needs like food, water, and medical care to people in quarantine.

Mental Health

An advertisement from 1918 encouraging people to use the telephone during quarantine.

Being in quarantine can be difficult. People might feel bored, lonely, or anxious. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people experienced stress from being separated from friends and family. It is important for officials to explain how long the quarantine will last and to help people stay connected with their loved ones.

Notable Quarantines

Eyam Village (1665)

In 1665, the bubonic plague arrived in the village of Eyam in England in a bundle of cloth sent from London. The villagers made a brave decision. Led by their church leaders, they decided to quarantine the entire village to stop the plague from spreading to nearby towns. They placed stones around the village boundary and did not cross them. About 260 villagers died, but their sacrifice saved thousands of lives in the surrounding area.

Typhoid Mary (Early 1900s)

Mary Mallon, known as "Typhoid Mary", was a cook in New York. She was a "healthy carrier" of typhoid fever, meaning she carried the bacteria but did not feel sick herself. However, she spread the disease to the families she cooked for. She was forced into quarantine on an island for many years because she refused to stop working as a cook. She spent a total of nearly 30 years in isolation.

COVID-19 Pandemic (2020–2023)

A road sign in Vermont during the pandemic in 2020.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, governments around the world used mass quarantines to slow down the virus. This was often called a "lockdown".

Wuhan, China: The city where the virus was first found was placed under a strict lockdown in January 2020.
Italy: Italy was the first country in Europe to impose a nationwide lockdown in March 2020.
Worldwide: By April 2020, roughly half of the world's population was under some form of lockdown or stay-at-home order.

Slovakia closed its borders to non-residents during the pandemic.

Quarantine in Different Countries

Different countries have different rules to protect their people and environment.

Australia

Australia is an island continent with a unique ecosystem. It has very strict quarantine rules to stop pests and diseases from entering. Travelers must declare food, wood, and plant products. If they don't, they can face large fines. This protects Australia's farms and native animals.

United States

In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) helps manage quarantine for people entering the country. The President can issue orders to stop specific diseases like cholera, plague, or new flu viruses. There are quarantine stations at major airports and borders.

United Kingdom

The UK used to require all dogs entering the country to stay in quarantine for six months to prevent rabies. In 2000, this was changed to the "Pet Passport" system. Now, animals can enter without quarantine if they have proof of vaccination.

Self-Quarantine

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the term "self-quarantine" or "self-isolation" became very common. This means staying at home voluntarily if you think you might have been exposed to a virus. Health experts often advised a 14-day period, as this is usually enough time to see if symptoms appear.

Images for kids

The hospital building at a historic quarantine station in Washington state.
A Public Health Service Quarantine Station in New Orleans, 1957.
A report on the quarantine of the ship Surry in Sydney, 1814.