Revised List of Quarantinable Communicable Diseases
Establishes list of diseases for federal quarantine powers
What it does
The order directs the Health and Human Services Secretary to specify diseases subject to federal quarantine and to carry out related presidential public health functions.
Real-world impact
- Allows federal authorities to detain or conditionally release people with listed diseases.
- Includes Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) on the quarantine list.
- Transfers presidential public health duties to the Health and Human Services Secretary.
Topics
Summary
This order updates the list of communicable diseases that allow federal officials to detain, quarantine, or conditionally release people to prevent disease spread. It specifically lists cholera, diphtheria, infectious tuberculosis, plague, smallpox, yellow fever, viral hemorrhagic fevers, and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).
The Health and Human Services Secretary, advised by the Surgeon General, will decide whether other conditions fit this list and will carry out related presidential public health duties. The order revokes an earlier executive order.
Questions, answered
Ask questions about this executive order and its implications. Try:
- “What agencies are affected by this order?”
- “How does this order change existing policy?”
- “What are the practical implications of this order?”